Our Commitment to Ethical and Responsible Use of Animals in Research

We strive to minimize or replace animal use wherever possible in our research and development programs. Animal testing only occurs when no viable alternatives can provide the necessary data to discover and develop safe and effective medicines and devices. To this end, we work closely with regulatory agencies to reduce the need for animal-based testing in our product development and manufacturing processes.

AbbVie's Global Animal Welfare Policy assures that everyone involved in our operations, from employees and contractors to suppliers and partners, understands and adheres to our high expectations for animal welfare. We will not contract or partner with organizations that do not uphold similar standards.

At the core of our scientific efforts are the internationally recognized principles of the “3Rs”:

• Replacement: Replace animal studies with non‐animal or insentient alternatives methods.
• Reduction: Reduce the number of animals to achieve research objectives.
• Refinement: If animals must be used, modify procedures to minimize potential for pain and/or distress.

AbbVie scientists continually strive to advance the 3Rs within our programs, integrating technologies such as 3-D printed anatomic models, artificial tissues, microphysiological systems (e.g. organ on a chip), digital biomarkers and other computer modeling techniques, and cell-based assays.

Our programs are supported by highly trained technical staff and board-certified veterinarians who specialize in research animal care. We also have a robust Global Animal Welfare Program that ensures maintenance of the highest industry welfare standards.

We have specialists and teams dedicated and committed to advancing animal care and non-animal alternative testing methods. For instance, our Enrichment Committee and dedicated Animal Behavioral Specialist collaborate to develop industry-leading programs for animal care, incorporating innovative enrichment and species-appropriate housing and socialization practices. 

AbbVie voluntarily maintains accreditation from Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC) and our programs and facilities consistently exceed regulatory requirements. 

Our Global Animal Welfare Committee guides company policies on animal care and use and promotes the advancement of non-animal alternatives. We preferentially work with research organizations and institutions accredited by AAALAC and conduct independent welfare assessments to ensure they meet AbbVie’s high standards for animal care and use.

AbbVie is involved in external consortia and collaborations dedicated to the development and adoption of new methods and technologies that minimize the requirement for animal participation. These include: IQ Consortium (International Consortium for Innovation and Quality in Pharmaceutical Development), 3RsC (The 3Rs Collaborative), DIVA (Digital In Vivo Alliance), EFPIA (European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations), NC3Rs CrossDART Initiative, eTRANSAFE Consortium (Enhancing TRANslational SAFEty Assessment through Integrative Knowledge Management), and BioMed X Collaboration.

AbbVie also collaborates with organizations to educate the public about the responsible use of animals in research. We support partners such as the Foundation for Biomedical Research, Americans for Medical Progress and the European Animal Research Association, ACLAM Foundation, Institutional Officials Consortium and Homes for Animal Heroes. 

Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie company, develops a portfolio of leading aesthetics brands and products. Allergan Aesthetics does not conduct testing on animals for its cosmetic skin care products.

Reference:

1. Data on file, FDA Approval Letter - Cell-Based Potency Assay, June 2011, AbbVie.