Genova, 23rd September 2025 - The COST Action IMPROVE successfully held its next 3Rs centres Workshop at the Università degli Studi di Genova, Dipartimento Architettura e Design (DAD), gathering leading researchers and stakeholders from across Europe.
Over two days from 17th to 18th of September, participants engaged in collaborative sessions focused on the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement) and the role and future activities within the 3Rs centre network EU3Rnet.
The workshop opened with remarks from Arti Ahluwalia and Winfried Neuhaus, followed by updates on the Memorandum of Understanding and the Balkan Regional 3R Centre.
Attendees took part in discussions on communication, funding, and sustainability, and enjoyed valuable networking opportunities, including a group dinner in the heart of Genova. The second day featured sessions on the organisation and management of EU3Rnet, short pitches on emerging topics, and the formation of new working groups to address key challenges in the field.
The hybrid format allowed both in-person (about 40) and online participation, ensuring broad engagement and collaboration.
This event was held together with the Next Gen3Ration Research meeting of the Italian 3R centre (Centro 3R; https://www.centro3r.it/it/events/next-gen3ration-research) from 18th to 19th of September.
A heartfelt thank you to the organisers of this remarkable event - Elena Grasselli and her team !
The day featured a dedicated workshop organized by BIOEMTECH, centered on the practical application of the 3Rs principles within a preclinical CRO setting, specifically in the field of radiopharmaceuticals. With 34 participants attending on-site, the workshop showcased how BIOEMTECH embeds ethical excellence into every aspect of its operations.
The day opened with a series of presentations from the BIOEMTECH team, covering:
- the scientific and technological scope of the company’s work
- the fundamentals of radiopharmaceutical use in preclinical research
- practical strategies for implementing the 3Rs — not only as theoretical guidelines, but as daily operational standards.
The agenda included the following talks:
- Welcome address
Dr. Maria Kitsara, Science and Innovation Manager at BIOEMTECH - Introductory talk on BIOEMTECH’ journey
Dr. George Loudos, CEO, BIOEMTECH - BIOEMTECH CRO Lab - Diving into preclinical research for drug discovery
Dr. Maritina Rouchota, Chief Business Officer, BIOEMTECH - Animal models used in theranostics
Dr. Theodoros Karampelas, CSO, BIOEMTECH Laboratories - Animal welfare when working with radiopharmaceuticals & virtual tour in BIOEMTECH facilities
Argyro Zacharioudaki, Designated Veterinarian & Laboratory Animal Facilities Manager
During the afternoon, 20 participants had the opportunity to visit BIOEMTECH’s imaging systems manufacturing facilities & the CRO.
The lab visits contained:
- Visit at the in vivo imaging systems manufacturing facilities
- Visit at the preclinical CRO facilities - Demonstration in practice
1. Quality assurance of radiochemical compounds for animal administration
2. How to handle radioactive animals
3. Intravenous administration of radioactive compounds
4. Imaging with BIOEMTECH eyes.
From advanced imaging systems that allow short, non-invasive scanning — reducing stress and eliminating the need for more invasive procedures — to a dedicated CRO team that upholds animal welfare throughout the research process, the 3Rs are deeply integrated into BIOEMTECH’s core mission.
Acibadem University Istanbul on 2-3 September 2024
Program
Monday, September the 2nd
8.30-9.30 Registration, Opening welcome, Presentation of the workshop, Formation of discussion groups
Opening Welcome: Yesim Isil Ulman, PhD and Augusto Vitale, PhD. (Co-chairs of the Workshop)
9.30-10.15 Keynote Lecture: Prof. Simone Pollo, “Does moral reflection improve the quality of biomedical research?"
10.15-10.45 Coffee break
10.45-11.45 Work of discussion groups
11.45-12.30 Outcomes presentations from the discussion groups
12.30-13.45 Lunch
13.45-14.30 Keynote Lecture: Prof. Nikos Kostomitsopoulos, “Ethical dilemmas in the use of animals
as human organ donors”
14.30-15.00 Coffee break
15.00-16.00 Work of discussion groups
16.00-16.45 Outcomes presentations from the discussion groups
GALA DINNER
Tuesday, September the 3rd
9.00-9.45 Keynote Lecture: Dr. Aurelie Thomas, “Making NAMs (New Approach Methodologies), the ethical solution to animal use”
9.45-10.15 Coffee break
10.15-11.45 Work of discussion groups
11.45-12.30 Outcomes presentations from the discussion groups
12.30-13.45 Lunch
13.45-14.30 Presentations from local officials
14.30-Visit of the Acibadem Univ. Experimental Animals Application and Research Center
Pictures
The main objectives are:
i) to coordinate the 3R Centers (currently most Centers are part of the network “EU3RNet” )
ii) to support emerging 3R Centers;
iii) to dialogue and collaborate with other relevant actors and stakeholders.
There was a great deal of interest in the meeting -despite the adverse weather conditions, 35 people attended in person, while 20 people were present online. The chair of IMPROVE, Winfried Neuhaus gave a brief welcome.
The meeting was chaired by Arti Ahluwalia. Given the diversity of participants and the fact that most had not met before, much of the meeting was devoted to sharing the background, resources, goals and needs of each group. These were in the form of country-wise presentations of the current status of 3R centres and interested parties.
There were 21 presentations. Given the exploratory nature of the meeting, questions and exchanges were encouraged during the talks. Indeed, several interesting points emerged, provoking lively discussions between participants.
After a short break, participants discussed their impressions. A major topic was the interest and need for collaboration and mutual support for common activities and support of new 3Rs centres.