Animal-free research gets $4.5M boost

LOCAL groups have welcomed the state government’s announcement of a $4.5 million funding package to reduce and replace animals in medical research.

The funding will establish the Non-Animal Technologies Network (NAT-Net), a NSW-led initiative aimed at developing innovative alternatives to animal use in medical research.

Wildlife Recovery Australia chief executive Dr Stephen Van Mil, a general practice veterinarian at Lennox Head, praised the announcement.

“As veterinarians, a major part of our job is to relieve the suffering of animals,” Van Mil said.

“Initiatives to remove any animal from being used for product testing or research purposes is a step in the right direction towards greater respect for animal welfare.”

The network will advise on the necessary infrastructure and regulations to support these alternatives, which include using human cells or tissues, complex multi-organ models, organs-on-chips, and approaches using machine learning and artificial intelligence.

RSPCA NSW chief executive Steve Coleman also welcomed the initiative.

“We wholeheartedly welcome the Minns Labor Government’s $4.5 million funding package to establish the Non-Animal Technologies Network (NAT-Net) and thank Minister Harris and his team for implementing this initiative,” Coleman said.

“This funding represents a significant advancement in ethical and scientific practices within the medical research sector and builds on the achievements of RSPCA NSW’s ongoing and collaborative work with the NSW Government since the Inquiry into the use of primates and other animals in medical research in NSW.”

NAT-Net will include experts from the University of NSW, University of Wollongong, University of Technology Sydney, University of Sydney, and the University of Newcastle.

Other institutions involved are the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Children’s Medical Research Institute, and the Hunter Medical Research Institute.

Minister for Medical Research David Harris highlighted the significance of this initiative.

“By investing in cutting-edge, non-animal technologies, researchers may be able to better predict which therapies work in humans, accelerating discoveries that could save people’s lives,” Harris said.

“We know that non-animal technologies in medical research are the way forward and NAT-Net will be a driving force behind these exciting Australian-first developments led by NSW.”