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Animal Experiments

Asked by Ben Obese-JectyConservativeDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled Answered 20 April 2026UIN 125707

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to help improve regulatory confidence and acceptance of alternative methods.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan

The strategy sets out seven commitments to increase confidence in the validation and regulatory uptake of alternative methods.

On 24 March, the MHRA announced it will offer early regulatory review of non animal data, including data generated using in silico approaches, to provide clarity on how such data will be assessed ahead of clinical trials. MHRA is the first UK regulator to offer this service, setting a precedent which the Government expects other regulators to follow.

The Government will publish a delivery update, including the regulatory elements of the strategy, later in 2026.

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