BASF will collaborate with Japan’s Sumitomo Chemical to research and develop an in vitro system as an alternative to animal tests for evaluating the safety of chemicals.

As a first step, the partners intend to establish a new line of fully functional cultured cells to offer a more efficient and precise procedure than existing methods.

There has been a rise in stringent regulations for registering agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals in recent years, resulting in increased demand for human safety studies.

Dr Peter Eckes, president of BASF Bioscience Research, said the collaboration combines the strength of both companies to develop new methods to reduce animal testing. Ikuzo Ogawa, managing executive officer of Sumitomo Chemical, added that his company will contribute to building a sustainable society through supplying safer chemicals.