News

Published: 20 March 2025

ECEAE Annual Assembly: dialogue, progress and inspiration

Our voice for animals is heard in Brussels - that's where the course is set for a Europe without animal experiments. And that is why our work at EU level is not only important, but crucial. The Annual General Assembly of our European umbrella organisation ECEAE (European Coalition to End Animal Experiments) took place on 18 March 2025, for the first time under the new Board consisting of Dr Tamara Zietek and Dr Corina Gericke (both DAAE). In addition to the formal agenda items, the 22 representatives from 10 countries discussed current topics such as the end of pyrogen testing with the blood of horseshoe crabs. The campaign DAAE had launched on this issue is already receiving broad support from member organisations, with some of them having started their own petitions. 

We are particularly pleased to welcome two new members to the ECEAE: Safer Medicines Trust (UK), a foundation committed to animal-free, human-relevant drug testing, and Ärztinnen und Ärzte für Tierschutz in der Medizin (Switzerland), an association of medical professionals whose focus is campaigning for a chair for the transition to animal-free innovations based on the Dutch model. This increases our strong European network to 18 member organisations.

One focus was on committee policy work: Dr Tamara Zietek reported on her intensive involvement in the development of the European Commission's Roadmap. This roadmap for phasing out chemical animal testing is already well advanced and is due to be published at the beginning of 2026.

She also reported on a novelty: For the first time, the ECEAE is awarding three travel awards of 1,000 euros each for the MPS World Summit in Brussels in June on the basis of an earmarked donation. The aim is to give young scientists in particular from low income countries the opportunity to take part in this high-profile international event in the field of microphysiological systems (MPS) by financing their travel expenses.

ECEAE consultant Dr Katy Taylor provided insights about her work. She represents the ECEAE in EU committees on chemical and pharmaceutical testing and is also involved in the Commission's Roadmap.

The presentation by DAAE Science Officer Dr Dilyana Filipova was met with great interest. She presented an in-depth analysis of the high failure rate of drugs in clinical trials. The results show that the average failure rate over decades is 91%. Around two thirds (77%) of these failures are due to biological factors, i.e. primarily the usual preclinical animal tests. The analysis is to be published in a scientific journal as soon as possible.

Emeline Gougeon's (Pro Anima, France) gave insights into the Descroix-Vernier EthicScience Prize. This €110,000 prize for innovative animal-free research is the only prize of its kind in France.

The event concluded with a lively exchange about national activities. DAAE's ‘Patients are human’ campaign was well received and the idea of ‘exporting’ it to other countries was raised.

Overall, the meeting was once again very fruitful and inspiring and emphasised the importance of international cooperation.

 
Virtual Annual General Assembly of the ECEAE.