Allergic contact dermatitis is one of the most frequent occupational diseases associated with chemical exposure. Chemicals and pesticides must be tested for their potential to cause skin sensitization and there have been major developments in testing strategies in recent years, as new approach methods are becoming accepted alternatives to traditional animal tests. Despite this progress, quantitative risk assessment of skin sensitizing chemicals remains a challenging process.

This webinar series will provide an overview of the current state of the science in this rapidly developing field. The webinars are intended as background for a planned workshop in 2022 on quantitative risk assessment of skin sensitizing pesticides but they are of interest to the broader scientific community as they are relying on the development of concepts and methods in other areas e.g. cosmetics, fragrances and consumer products.

Registration is free and open to the public. Registration for each webinar will also register you for all subsequent webinars.

Diverse lectures and sessions with well-balanced contributions from academia, industry and regulators will be offered. Besides the scientific presentations there will be various networking opportunities.

The upcoming symposium aims to provide an update on major developments in the field of new emerging methods and concepts in toxicology. As a platform for researchers and representatives from academia, industry, and regulatory authorities, the symposium highlights methodological progress (e.g. in vitro, in silico, omics methods) as well as current and future applications for regulatory risk assessment. Its broader intention is to share and advance ideas on future possibilities and applications in the field.

Due to the current Corona pandemic and the rules of conduct, only a limited number of registrations for attendance on-site is currently possible. Alternatively, participants can follow the event via livestream and ask their questions within a chat room.

11 November 2021, 4 - 6 p.m. (CET)

Hear from the founders of the field, Professor Thomas Hartung, Founding Director Dr. Martin Stephens, and hear about the progress of evidence-based methodologies and their adoption successes and challenges by toxicology stakeholder community. Short presentations on examples from the clinical field, European and US regulatory agencies and on emerging AI and machine learning tools will be followed by an interactive panel discussion focused on opportunities that EB methodologies hold and the challenges that the community is facing. The day will be concluded by the outlook for the future by the EBTC Executive Director Dr. Katya Tsaioun.

Objectives of the meeting:

• The final outcomes and legacy of the project, including case studies and a comprehensive collection of learnings and gaps in the application of NAM-enhanced read-across, will be presented and discussed with all interested participants.
• The event will also host the launch of the ASPIS cluster (Animal-free Safety assessment of chemicals: Project cluster for Implementation of novel Strategies) formed by the Horizon 2020 projects RISK-HUNT3R, ONTOX and PrecisionTOX and representing a Europe’s €60M effort towards a sustainable, animal-free and reliable chemical risk assessment.

Registration and further information:

• To register, please fill out the registration form available on the dedicated website. Registration deadline is October 1, 2021.
• Participants will have the possibility to attend the event also ONLINE (including the poster sessions and the visit of the industrial booths), through a professional virtual platform enabling virtual networking with other attendees through chat and video call.

4:00 PM - 4:45 PM CEST

This talk will focus on the scientific/legal/regulatory/political/societal issues associated with the evaluation of pesticides and chemicals by agencies around the world. Using the process for the EU as a starting point, it will be explored how risk assessments differ worldwide and the data which is currently used to achieve regulatory acceptance for high-profile substances with a focus on pesticides. It will then be explored how new approach methodologies fit into this overall framework and some of the scientific/regulatory/legal/societal hurdles these methods will need to climb in order to become an integral part of risk assessment.

Promoting collaboration of academia and industry in applications of microphysiological systems (MPS) based on 3D cell culture, organoid, and organ-on-chip technology as a future-oriented alternative to animal testing.

The course will include the concept and principles of Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs). Development and assessment of AOPs. Examples of different AOPs. Application of the AOP concept in toxicological research and health risk assessment.

The course is intended for PhD students and other participants from academia as well as participants from authorities and industry.

Application deadline: 10 September 2021

The congress programme covers a variety of topics dealing with the safety of drugs and environmental chemicals, new and emerging technologies, personalized medicine, human health effects caused by exposure to chemicals as well as safety issues arising from climate change.

Allergic contact dermatitis is one of the most frequent occupational diseases associated with chemical exposure. Chemicals and pesticides must be tested for their potential to cause skin sensitization and there have been major developments in testing strategies in recent years, as new approach methods are becoming accepted alternatives to traditional animal tests. Despite this progress, quantitative risk assessment of skin sensitizing chemicals remains a challenging process.

This webinar series will provide an overview of the current state of the science in this rapidly developing field. The webinars are intended as background for a planned workshop in 2022 on quantitative risk assessment of skin sensitizing pesticides but they are of interest to the broader scientific community as they are relying on the development of concepts and methods in other areas e.g. cosmetics, fragrances and consumer products.

Registration is free and open to the public. Registration for each webinar will also register you for all subsequent webinars.