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Animal-free cell-based testing has been approved for Botox – which will save hundreds of thousands of mice every year.
French pharmaceutical company Ipsen will use the testing for botox products sold in Europe.
This will replace the LD50 (Lethal Dose) poisoning test which kills hundreds of thousands of mice every year.
Medicine
Although Botox is often used for cosmetic purposes – though it is also used for some medical reasons – because it is an injectable, it is not deemed a cosmetic, meaning it isn’t included in the EU ban on cosmetics tested on animals.
As a result, staggering numbers of mice are killed every year: something Cruelty Free International has campaigned against with its coalition partners in the European Coalition to End Animal Experiments (ECEAE).
‘Delighted’
Dr Katy Taylor, Cruelty Free International’s Director of Science, said: “We are delighted that Ipsen has successfully gained the approval of a non-animal alternative in Europe.
“This will put an end to the cruel killing of hundreds of thousands of mice for the testing of botox products. It is unacceptable that animals go through an agonizing death for a product used for cosmetic purposes when a non-animal alternative is available.
“We urge other botox companies to make cruel botox animal tests a thing of the past.”
Botox itself contains no animal products, but it is not suitable for vegans because it is tested on animals.
