Raising the Bar in Research: Our Animal Facility Achieves AAALAC Accreditation
Scientific research is built on a foundation of integrity, ensuring trust and credibility in both the research process and its findings. Integrity is also one of our core values – we maintain the highest standards in all we do to create shared value with society.
That is why we’re proud that, as of March 11, 2025, our Animal Facility has earned accreditation from the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) International, which is a globally recognized private, non-profit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science through voluntary accreditation.
Why AAALAC accreditation matters
Our mission is to develop antibody drug clinical candidates and pioneer medical engineering technologies that improve human health worldwide. While we actively advance non-animal experimental methods, current technology has yet to fully replicate the complexity of living physiological systems, making animal studies a necessary step in ensuring the safety and efficacy of new medical treatments.
With this in mind, ensuring the humane treatment of animals is a priority and responsibility we take seriously. AAALAC accreditation affirms our commitment to conducting research at the highest level of scientific and ethical excellence while prioritizing animal welfare in the care and handling of laboratory animals.
We follow the 3Rs principle when conducting research involving animals:
- Reduction: minimizing the number of animals used while maintaining scientific integrity
- Refinement: ensuring procedures minimize pain and distress, using sedatives, analgesics, and anesthetics when necessary to alleviate suffering
- Replacement: seeking alternatives to animal testing whenever feasible
Before each study, our researchers carefully consider which species is most appropriate for the study, along with factors such as genetic characteristics, microbiological quality, and optimal housing conditions. We take every step to ensure animals experience as little stress as possible.
A team effort
Achieving AAALAC accreditation required extensive preparation, collaboration, and commitment, from refining protocols to enhancing animal welfare measures. With this accreditation, we join a global network of institutions that prioritize ethical and responsible research. A huge congratulations to the Animal Facility team for their outstanding work!