iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

VICT3R @ihi-vict3r.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

The publication of the European Commission's roadmap towards phasing out animal testing for chemical safety assessments marks an important milestone that sets out a long-term vision for the future of safety assessment in Europe. 👉 www.vict3r.eu/vict3r-and-v... @ec.europa.eu @ihieurope.bsky.social

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Innovative Health Initiative @ihieurope.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

💡Creating synergies between projects can help to increase efficiencies, amplify impact & reduce duplication of efforts in #HealthResearch. 🙏 Bigpicture & @ihi-vict3r.bsky.social are great examples of how collaboration can amplify the impact of PPPs. 👉 link.europa.eu/CcFJyM #HorizonEU #Pathology #3Rs

An image of a pathologist examining a whole slide and the digital version of the whole slide.

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VICT3R @ihi-vict3r.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

VICT3R and Bigpicture are entering a new phase of collaboration. In a recent discussion, Thomas Steger-Hartmann (Bayer) and Julie Boisclair (Novartis) share how this connection is emerging and what it enables. 👉 bigpicture.eu/news/collabo... #Toxicology #AnimalWelfare #EthicalResearch #AI

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VICT3R @ihi-vict3r.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

Today is World Day for Laboratory Animals 🐾 This year, we are seeing real signs of progress, and reasons for cautious optimism. At #VICT3R, we are contributing to this change: VCGs have the potential to reduce the number of animals used in research by up to 25% at the level of individual studies.

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Innovative Health Initiative @ihieurope.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

🐾 Today is the #WorldDayForLaboratoryAnimals! Discover some of our projects working on #3Rs: 🐭 Virtual Control Groups @ihi-vict3r.bsky.social 🧫 Banking induced pluripotent stem cells 🐠 Reducing fish in environmental risk assessments for older medicines 👉️ link.europa.eu/vqtDFQ #Animals #Research

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Innovative Health Initiative @ihieurope.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

IHI project @ihi-vict3r.bsky.social reached a milestone in its quest to cut animal use in medicine safety testing by using Virtual Control Groups (VCGs) when @ema.europa.eu launched a consultation on a qualification opinion on the use of VCGs in certain studies link.europa.eu/XqwHjG #HorizonEU #3Rs

Project news
EMA launches consultation on use of VICT3R's virtual control groups to cut animal use in medicine development

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European Medicines Agency @ema.europa.eu · 31/03/2026

We have just launched an open consultation on virtual animal control groups to help reduce animal use in medicines development. Check it out now! 👇 ❗Consultation open until 12 May 2026.

ema.europa.eu

EMA consults on virtual control groups to help reduce animal use in medicines development | European Medicines Agency (EMA)

A draft qualification opinion for the new testing method is open for consultation

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VICT3R @ihi-vict3r.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Great to be part of the Society of Toxicology (SOT) meeting in San Diego, discussing new approaches in #toxicology and Virtual Control Groups (VCGs). Some #VICT3R highlights: a poster by Karolina Kopańska (CAATevents) and Mathieu Vinken (VUB), recipient of the Enhancement of #AnimalWelfare Award 👏

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VICT3R @ihi-vict3r.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

Progress in a project like #VICT3R doesn’t happen in isolation. It grows through discussion, collaboration, and the collective effort of experts from different fields. Check the recap of the latest Consortium Meeting and General Assembly held in Barcelona! 👉 www.vict3r.eu/collaboratio...

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VICT3R @ihi-vict3r.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

Ready… set… GO! 🚀 The 4th #VICT3R Consortium Meeting & General Assembly is here👏 Great to see our community coming together in Barcelona and online for two days of science, collaboration, and forward-looking discussions. #Toxicology #EthicalResearch #AnimalWelfare #AI

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NC3Rs @nc3rs.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

Virtual Second Species: Data driven and mechanistic modelling of the dog 📅 3 March, 13.00 (GMT)/14.00 (CET) 👉 nc3rs.org.uk/events/virtu... In their next ‘Virtually Speaking’ webinar, VICT3R @ihi-vict3r.bsky.social are showcasing the ‘Virtual Dog’ being developed through an NC3Rs CRACK IT Challenge.

An outline of a dog, the NC3Rs and VICT3R logos.

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VICT3R @ihi-vict3r.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

At the Bigpicture Annual Consortium Meeting (Berlin), our Project Lead Thomas Steger-Hartmann showcased #VICT3R and explored how control animal Whole Slide Images and Bigpicture’s IT infrastructure could power a shared, sustainable repository @ihieurope.bsky.social #Toxicology #AnimalWelfare #AI

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VICT3R @ihi-vict3r.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

Everything we've achieved this year has been a true community effort. THANK YOU to all #VICT3R partners and collaborators. We look forward to continuing this journey with you in 2026 as we work together toward the wider implementation and regulatory acceptance of VCG #AnimalWelfare #EthicalResearch

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VICT3R @ihi-vict3r.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

📝 Our latest publication is out! "Transitional initiatives for advancing the phasing out of the use of animals for drug and chemical safety testing: The @ihieurope.bsky.social #VICT3R project for reducing the use of animals by implementing virtual control groups"- NAM Journal tinyurl.com/kfbzuxf3

Our latest publication is out!

We’re proud to share our new article published this week in NAM Journal: "Transitional initiatives for advancing the phasing out of the use of animals for drug and chemical safety testing: The IHI VICT3R project for reducing the use of animals by implementing virtual control groups"

Authored by VICT3R members Ferran Sanz, Javier Orihuel, Olga Valverde (Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Thomas Steger-Hartmann (Bayer), Mathieu Vinken, Julia Matyjasiak (Vrije Universiteit Brussel), Frank Bringezu (Merck Healthcare), and Eeva Inari Soininen (SYNAPSE Research Management Partners), together with our collaborators Jan Turner and Colleen Pike from Animal-Free Safety Assessment Collaboration and Humane World for Animals, the paper highlights the strength of cross-sector collaboration in advancing innovative and ethical safety science.

Read the article here:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S3050620425000600?via%3Dihub

This joint work between the VICT3R Consortium and Humane World for Animals highlights the need for practical transitional strategies that reduce animal use in safety testing while maintaining scientific rigor and regulatory confidence. It shows how Virtual Control Groups (VCGs) can provide such a bridge, through the standardisation, curation, and matching of historical control data, and progress toward regulatory qualification. The paper also explores the scientific, regulatory, and ethical dimensions of VCGs as part of Europe’s move toward more sustainable, data-driven toxicology, and presents the approach as a scalable model for ethical research across academia and industry.

#Toxicology #AnimalWelfare #EthicalResearch #AI

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VICT3R @ihi-vict3r.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

The #VICT3R Community is Growing! 👏 We're excited to announce the joining of new organizations in the project: Servier, Zoetis, CAATevents, Charles River, Labcorp and Scantox Group. Read the full news article on our website www.vict3r.eu/more-minds-m... #AnimalWelfare #EthicalResearch

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VICT3R @ihi-vict3r.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

The VICT3R Community has just wrapped up its 3rd Consortium Meeting and General Assembly in Barcelona! 👏 Want to see the highlights and what’s next for #VICT3R? 👉 www.vict3r.eu/vict3r-holds... #Toxicology #AnimalWelfare #EthicalResearch #AI

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VICT3R @ihi-vict3r.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

One year of #VICT3R in the books! We’re excited to share a look back at the communication & dissemination highlights and grateful to the community that continues to support and inspire us. THANK YOU! 🙌 @ihieurope.bsky.social #Toxicology #AnimalWelfare #EthicalResearch #AI

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VICT3R @ihi-vict3r.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

The 3rd Consortium Meeting and General Assembly of #VICT3R is taking place in Barcelona. Two days filled with insightful conversations on the development and implementation of VCGs, data workflows, ongoing and planned regulatory interactions, and more! #Toxicology #AnimalWelfare #EthicalResearch #AI

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VICT3R @ihi-vict3r.bsky.social · 21/08/2025

📢 #VICT3R Virtually Speaking returns this September! We’ll kick-off with webinars on “Overcoming Societal, Cultural, and Regulatory Barriers to Virtual Control Group Adoption”, developed in collaboration with @humaneworldorg.bsky.social Stay tuned! #Toxicology #EthicalResearch #AnimalWelfare

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VICT3R @ihi-vict3r.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

We’ve wrapped up the first series of our #VICT3R Virtually Speaking webinars! 12 sessions – some public, others for the consortium – covering key scientific and technical topics. Huge thanks to our brilliant speakers! 🎬 Recordings available at: www.vict3r.eu/training #Toxicology #AnimalWelfare

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VICT3R @ihi-vict3r.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

🎬 Check out the latest edition of the ´Lab of Tomorrow´ video series by @eurogroupforanimals.org featuring Ferran Sanz (Project Coordinator, UPF) and Thomas Steger-Hartmann (Project Lead, Bayer) from #VICT3R www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwW6... #Toxicology #AnimalWelfare #EthicalResearch #AI

youtube.com

Lab of Tomorrow: Using technology and AI to reduce animal experimentation

YouTube video by Eurogroup for Animals

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VICT3R @ihi-vict3r.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

The article highlights #VICT3R as one of the projects actively working on solutions to reduce unnecessary animal use in research 🔬 Change is happening, but there’s still work to do 💪 @ihieurope.bsky.social #Toxicology #AnimalWelfare #EthicalResearch #AI

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Servei de Recerca de la UPF @sdrecercaupf.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

✨ @ihi-vict3r.bsky.social is also on Bluesky! Funded by the Innovative Health Initiative (IHI), the project #VICT3R is dedicated to reducing animal use in toxicology research. ℹ️ More info: www.vict3r.eu #RecercaUPF #VICT3R

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VICT3R @ihi-vict3r.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

Good science starts with good practices 🔬 👍 Check out our #VICT3R: Virtually Speaking webinar with Anja Priess (Bayer AG) on "Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and its role in Computer System Validation (CSV)" 🎬 Watch it here: www.vict3r.eu/training #Toxicology #AnimalWelfare #EthicalResearch #AI

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VICT3R @ihi-vict3r.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

The first #VICT3R newsletter is here! 📩 👏 Dive into our latest updates and join the conversation about the challenges of turning Virtual Control Groups (VCGs) into a reality for #toxicology research and regulation. 👉 mailchi.mp/d3b7667873d0... #AnimalWelfare #EthicalResearch #AI

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VICT3R @ihi-vict3r.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

Last week, the 2nd Consortium Meeting & General Assembly of #VICT3R took place in Barcelona! 👏 Two intense days filled with insightful and productive discussions 💡 Check out the wrap-up story on our website: 👉 www.vict3r.eu/bringing-vir... #Toxicology #AnimalWelfare #EthicalResearch #AI

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VICT3R @ihi-vict3r.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

The #VICT3R 2nd CM and GA wraps up with insightful discussions! We explored statistical characterization, AI modeling, and the VCG qualification procedure. We received valuable feedback from our new Scientific and Regulatory Advisory Board. Thank you to all participants, both on-site and remote! 👏

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VICT3R @ihi-vict3r.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

Day 2 of the #VICT3R 2nd CM and GA is underway! Yesterday, we wrapped up Day 1 with insightful discussions on regulatory frameworks, VCG qualification, data contributions and more. Plus, we demoed our already operational VICT3R database and datalake - a big step forward! #Toxicology #AnimalWelfare

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VICT3R @ihi-vict3r.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

Kicking off the #VICT3R 2nd Consortium Meeting & General Assembly in Barcelona with intros from our Project Coordinators! Theme: "Steps Towards Achieving Regulatory Acceptance." Stay tuned for more insights as we progress towards our goal of implementing VCGs! #Toxicology #AnimalWelfare #AI

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VICT3R @ihi-vict3r.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

"The dose makes the poison." We recently hosted an insightful #VICT3R: Virtually Speaking webinar with Eline Dejonckheere (Sanofi) on “Conduct and Evaluation of In Vivo Toxicology Studies” 🎬 Watch the full webinar here: youtu.be/4B3jD_rfYwA #Toxicology #AnimalWelfare #EthicalResearch #AI

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VICT3R @ihi-vict3r.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

VICT3R aims to drastically reduce animal use in toxicology research by leveraging #AI to create Virtual Control Groups, embracing the 3Rs principle: Replacement - Reduction - Refinement More information: 👉 vict3r.eu #VICT3R #Toxicology #AnimalWelfare #EthicalResearch

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VICT3R @ihi-vict3r.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

In our interview series 'Minds Behind #VICT3R' we spotlight the talented individuals shaping this project 💡 Today we're featuring Mathieu Vinken (VUB) - Partner at VICT3R, and Coordinator of the ASPIS cluster and ONTOX project 👉 tinyurl.com/ywdjxuuy #Toxicology #AnimalWelfare #EthicalResearch #AI

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VICT3R @ihi-vict3r.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

We’re excited to announce that #VICT3R is now on Bluesky! VICT3R is driving innovation in toxicology by advancing Virtual Control Groups (VCGs) for more ethical and efficient research. Follow us for updates and learn more on: 👉 vict3r.eu #Toxicology #AnimalWelfare #EthicalResearch #AI

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