The animal model addresses the need for publicly available, product-independent species that can be used to test the efficacy of an investigational drug. It is a component of the Drug Development Tool Qualification program and is applicable to multiple investigational drugs and biological products. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that an animal model is capable of reproducing disease and pathological conditions in human subjects. If an animal model can reliably replicate human symptoms, it is a useful tool in medical research. For instance, in February 2022, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, a biomedical research firm in the U.S., published a study on the bioRxiv repository claiming that the Nitazoxanide (NTZ) drug broadly inhibited the SARS-CoV-2 virus in an animal model.
The
animal model has become an integral part of modern drug discovery and
development. Scientists often have a difficult time defining the role of these
models, but their use has greatly advanced medicine. These models help link
hypothesis-driven benchwork with clinical trials and patients. However, the
value of animal models has been debated by scientists for decades.
The
key manufacturers across the world in the global Animal
Model market are detailed in the report.
The
Animal Welfare Ethical Review Body (AWERB) is a body that reviews studies that
involve animals. Its membership consists of lay and expert members with expertise
in biomedical science, animal welfare, law, ethics, and the 3Rs. When an
application for a license to use an animal model is made, an AWERB member will
review the application. The AWERB will assess the validity of the proposed
animal model and take into account the limitations of this model. The committee will then make a decision on whether
the study should be conducted using an animal model.
The
use of animal models is becoming increasingly common in drug discovery. A
well-validated animal model is a bridge between laboratory experiments and
clinical trials. It is important to choose a predictive and validated animal
model for research. An animal model is a valuable tool for scientists. It is
necessary to justify the use of an animal model before research can proceed.
This can be accomplished by establishing a clear objective for the study.