Animalfree Research can look back on half a century of dedicated work for the welfare of animals. Since its establishment, the foundation has consistently promoted innovative scientific methods that do not require animal testing while ensuring the highest scientific quality. Animalfree Research has contributed to advancing alternative methods such as cell cultures, computer-based models, and human-based research approaches.
Most important milestones
2025: Cartilage-on-chip system
Animalfree Research is promoting the development of a dynamic cartilage-on-chip system that will enable the development of drugs for osteoarthritis without the use of animal testing.
2023: Neuronal cultures
Animal-free research enables the development of a cell model of the peripheral nervous system to investigate damage, symptoms, and regeneration mechanisms of the peripheral nervous system without animal testing.
2022: CRISPER Skin
Animalfree Research helps to develop a 3D model of human skin that will replace experiments with genetically modified mice.
2020: Vaccines against coronaviruses
Animalfree Research is involved in promoting projects for the animal-free testing of drugs and vaccines against coronaviruses.
2019: Wildlife research
Animalfree Research supports the development of an online knowledge platform to promote non-invasive methods in wildlife research
2011: Tetanus vaccines
Animalfree Research promotes the development of a method that replaces animal testing in assessing the toxicity of tetanus vaccines.
2000: Serum-free cell culture medium
Animalfree Research supports a project that replaces fetal calf serum as a cell culture nutrient.
1997: EpiDerm©
Animalfree Research promotes the development of an animal-free test for investigating the phototoxicity of cosmetics and medications on the skin.
1996: Fish cell line test
Animalfree Research promotes the development of a cell line for investigating the toxicity of wastewater as an alternative to animal testing on fish.
1984: ALTEX
Animalfree Research launches ALTEX, a scientific journal on alternatives to animal testing.
1983: VirtualToxLab
Animalfree Research lays the foundation for the long-term promotion and development of VirtualToxLab, a tool for computer-aided prediction of the toxic potential of drugs and chemicals.
1976: Foundation
The Fund for Animal-Free Research, known as Animalfree Research since 2007, is established.
Support the replacement of animal testing
The road to a future without animal testing is long. We have succeeded in reaching some important milestones, but we are still a long way from our goal.
With your donation, you are helping to develop and implement research methods that completely eliminate the use of animals.
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Order cosmetics guide
It is not easy to recognize animal-free cosmetics on the shelf. In the meantime, there are numerous certificates and labels available that help consumers to make the right decision. But there are still stumbling blocks. Our guide (in German) presents the most important labels and their criteria.
Animal-free research methods
In recent years, there have been significant advances in the development of alternative methods that can replace animal experiments. These methods are often more reliable, humane, and cost-effective than animal experiments.



