Commitment to the Ethical Use of Animals in Research
The use of research animals continues to play an indispensable scientific role in the search for innovative medicines both in terms of assessing therapeutic potential and informing possible human risk.
The care and use of all research animals must comply with all applicable local, state, regional, national, and international laws and regulations and standards of accrediting bodies. Amgen employs multiple overlapping strategies to ensure that the use of research animals complies with Amgen standards for animal research conducted internally and at External Business Partners (EBPs).
Amgen’s commitment to the ethical use of animals in research mandates the following principles for both our internal and external animal research efforts:
- Amgen is committed to the ethical and responsible treatment of animals used in the discovery and development of medicines
- Amgen conducts research animal studies to answer critical scientific questions that cannot be addressed though alternative methods and/or to fulfill regulatory requirements
- Amgen does not conduct research in chimpanzees as part of the development of our medicines
- Amgen appoints an Institutional Official (IO, US) and Senior Administrator (Canada), who are ultimately responsible for all activities involving the use of research animals
- All Amgen owned animal facilities are accredited by AAALAC, Inc or the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC)
- Amgen establishes committees to oversee animal research studies conducted both internally at Amgen and externally at EBPs
- Amgen commits to the principles of Reduction, Refinement, and Replacement in the use of animals in research. Amgen has a long-standing 3Rs Award Program to recognize and reward our scientists who find new and better ways to advance these ethical principles
Amgen’s commitment for the responsible use of animals, specifically for internally placed research, mandates that the:
- Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC, US), Animal Care Committee (ACC, Canada) or other country specific oversight bodies are charged with discussing, approving, and monitoring all Amgen animal research activities. This is accomplished by reviewing all proposed animal studies, inspecting all internal animal facilities, post-approval monitoring, and investigating, if necessary, any animal welfare concern brought forward by any person. These committees regularly communicate with and periodically provides status reports to the IO or Senior Administrator regarding animal welfare compliance.
- The IACUC and ACC report independently to the IO
- Veterinary care is provided by veterinarians with expertise in the management and care of laboratory animals
- Qualified laboratory animal professionals monitor health and welfare and provide timely intervention to prevent or minimize animal discomfort, distress and/or pain
- All employees who work with animals must undergo mandatory and regular training designed to develop and refine their skills in working with animals, to promote adoption of new and improved research methods and best practices, and to ensure Amgen’s compliance with all relevant regulations and standards.