Animal studies are a critical aspect of medical and pharmaceutical research, both for generating new breakthroughs in experimental research and to ensure optimal safety of new treatments before they are used in humans.
At UCB, we believe that animals should only be used when absolutely necessary, and we are committed to the 3Rs principles:
- Replacing animals with non-animal alternatives
- Reducing the number of animals required to achieve scientifically robust results
- Refining procedures to respect animal welfare and deliver ethical and responsible research
We comply with all applicable laws, regulations and industry standards at our two research sites using animals, in the UK and Belgium. Our UK research hub operates in full compliance with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. Personnel involved with the care and use of animals are educated, trained, and qualified in legal requirements on animal use and in the principles of animal welfare to ensure high-quality science and the highest standards of animal care.
We also ensure that any work conducted externally on our behalf is performed preferably by Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC) accredited service providers, or at a minimum, conducted in compliance with local animal welfare legislation and with UCB’s guidelines for animal welfare. UCB will not place animal studies in institutions where the animal welfare standards are considered inadequate.
As members of NC3Rs (The National Council for Replacement, Refinement & Reduction of Animals in Research) and signatories to the Concordat on Openness on Animal Research, managed by Understanding Animal Research, we strive for scientific innovation that is both impactful and compassionate, advancing our scientific knowledge while upholding the highest standards of animal welfare.
