Disclosure of Information Regarding the Ethical Treatment of Laboratory Animals

Toray Industries, Inc. aims to contribute to the human development and health enhancement through the creation of pharmaceuticals and medical devices. The Company believes that animal testing is necessary and required for safety and efficacy verification in the development of new pharmaceuticals and medical devices. This testing must be carried out with respect for animal life, considering the 3R principles for animal experiments; Refinement (minimization of pain), Reduction (reducing the number of animals used), and Replacement (use of alternatives to animals).
In order to ensure that animal testing is conducted ethically, Toray Industries has established in-house rules in accordance with the Act Concerning Humane Treatment and Management of Animals, the Standard for Care and Management of Laboratory Animals and Alleviation of Pain, the Guidelines for Proper Implementation of Animal Experiments, and other relevant guidelines.
The Company has also set up the Animal Care and Use Committee, which carries out ethical and scientific review of the adequacy of plans, potential alternative methods, and details of experimental designs involved in all animal testing conducted at the Company. All staff involved in animal testing receive training in standards of care and biannual training on the ethics of the use of animals in research to ensure appropriate conduct of animal testing based on the 3R principles.
In addition, the Animal Care and Use Committee carries out periodic self-monitoring and evaluation of the regulations and systems in place, the committee actions, facility maintenance, and animal testing to verify that each test is conducted appropriately.
Toray Industries’ Basic Research Center has continually received certification from the Assessment and Accreditation Center for Laboratory Animal Care and Use, Japan Pharmaceutical Information Center¹ since 2012.

1. 1 For a list of facilities certified by the Assessment and Accreditation Center for Laboratory Anime Care and Use, Japan Pharmaceutical Information Center, click here.