[Seok Ji-hoen, Edaily reporter] Biosolution announced on May 22 that it presented its progress in developing animal alternative testing methods at the ‘Industry-Government-Academia Workshop on Animal Alternative Testing’ held on May 20.

The event was jointly hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Korea Environment Corporation, and Korea CRO Association. Biosolution was the only private company specializing in organoid and 3D tissue model development invited to share research results.

The workshop in Seoul was attended by stakeholders from Seoul National University, the National Institute of Toxicological Sciences, the Korea Chemical Convergence Testing Institute, among others. Biosolution shared findings on ongoing development of alternative testing methods, including skin corrosion and inhalation toxicity tests, and outlined plans to supply these methods to the Ministry of Environment projects and public institutions.

The presentation coincided with the Ministry of Environment’s groundbreaking ceremony for the Animal Alternative Testing Center on May 16 and the declaration of May 16-23 as ‘Animal Alternative Testing Awareness Week.’ Biosolution also participated in a public-private meeting held on May 16.

Earlier, the Ministry of Environment announced a vision titled ‘Realizing Animal Welfare with Chemical Safety by 2030,’ setting two key goals: producing over 60% of chemical hazard data using animal alternative testing methods and establishing advanced infrastructure and technology in animal alternative testing by 2030.

Construction began on the Animal Alternative Testing Center inside the Korea Environment Corporation headquarters in Incheon, scheduled for completion by October next year. The center will develop infrastructure and methods such as artificial organs, 3D tissue models, and computer prediction models to replace animal testing. Biosolution’s human tissue model testing technology is planned to be integrated into the center’s operations upon completion.

Biosolution holds the only OECD Test Guideline (TG) and ISO international standard-registered human tissue models in South Korea. Its products have passed international validation in areas including ocular and skin irritation testing. The company is currently expanding application areas to include inhalation toxicity.

Lee Jung-sun, CEO of Biosolution, said, “Our animal alternative testing technology meets both domestic and international standards. Biosolution is the only company in South Korea that can supply internationally certified 3D tissue models. We are thoroughly preparing to reliably supply our 3D tissue models to the government’s Animal Alternative Testing Center set to be completed next year.”