Reducing animal testing in the health sector through strategic investment

<p dir="ltr">Animal testing remains prevalent in many companies operating within the pharmaceutical, healthcare, and wellness sectors. This is in spite of recent regulatory changes, notably in the EU, to advance the use of non-animal methods, and consequentially reduce animal numbers. This report was commissioned by Stewart Investors to aid in their understanding of methods being used in the pharmaceutical, healthcare, and wellness sectors to reduce animal use, as well as barriers to this. A key aim was to identify best practices associated with transitioning to non-animal approaches and creating visibility around this. This information has been incorporated into a guide which can be used when making decisions around this topic prior to investing.</p><p dir="ltr">Stewart Investors employed a joint team from the Institute for Sustainable Futures at UTS and The University of Adelaide together with support from Replacing Animal Research (formerly the Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments or FRAME) to undertake research on current policies and practices relating to animal testing in a sample of companies selected by them. This report presents the key findings and insights from that research project without identifying companies included in the study. Stewart Investors was provided with a confidential report that provided detailed findings for each company. The companion Investor Guide offers guidance for investors seeking to engage on this issue.</p>