The 3R Principles at the Heart of Our Research
MTTLab is committed to the highest ethical standards in preclinical science. Replace, Reduce and Refine are not compliance checkboxes — they are built into every study we design and conduct.
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Replace, Reduce, Refine
First articulated by Russell and Burch in 1959, the 3Rs remain the global framework for humane and scientifically sound animal research.
Replace
We prioritise non-animal and in vitro methods wherever scientifically valid. Cell-based assays, organoid models and computational approaches are systematically evaluated before any in vivo study is proposed.
Ask us how →Reduce
Statistical rigour drives our power calculations. We use the minimum number of animals necessary to generate scientifically valid, reproducible data — never more, and never at the expense of data quality.
Ask us how →Refine
Animal welfare is integrated into every protocol. Humane endpoints, enriched housing, analgesic strategies and continuous welfare monitoring are standard practice across all our studies.
Ask us how →How the 3Rs Shape Every Study We Run
Ethical commitment and scientific excellence are not in tension. At MTTLab, applying the 3Rs consistently produces better data and stronger regulatory packages.
Protocol Review
Every study protocol undergoes an internal 3R audit before approval. Alternative methods are documented and justified at the design stage, not retrospectively.
Power Analysis
Group sizes are determined by prospective power calculations based on historical variance data, ensuring statistical validity with the fewest animals possible.
Welfare Monitoring
Dedicated animal welfare officers conduct daily assessments. Humane endpoints are pre-defined for every model, and scoring systems are applied consistently throughout each study.
Regulatory Alignment
Our 3R documentation is structured to satisfy EMA and national competent authority requirements, supporting your submission package from the outset.
Our 3R Integration Process
A structured approach that embeds ethical consideration at every phase of study development.
Feasibility & Alternatives Assessment
Before any animal study is proposed, we evaluate whether the scientific question can be addressed — fully or partially — by in vitro, ex vivo or in silico methods. Replacement is always the first option on the table.
Ethical Study Design
When in vivo work is scientifically necessary, group sizes are optimised through power analysis, dosing routes and sampling schedules are refined to minimise burden, and housing conditions exceed minimum regulatory standards.
Continuous Welfare Oversight
Welfare assessments are conducted throughout each study. Any deviation from baseline triggers a formal review. Our humane endpoint policy ensures no animal experiences unnecessary suffering beyond the minimum required to answer the scientific question.
Our Commitment in Numbers
Ethics and Excellence, by Design
Tell us about your molecule and objectives. We will propose a study design that meets your scientific needs and exceeds 3R expectations.
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