Using concrete case-study examples from established and emerging models, the event will clarify what “validation” means in practice, highlight the scientific and regulatory criteria required for acceptance, and illustrate how NAMs progress from academic innovation to applied decision-making tools. The symposium will showcase Swiss and international progress in the field, while fostering exchange between NAMs developers, end-users, and regulatory authorities.

Session 1 - Validated and regulatory-accepted NAMs in practice: lessons from skin sensitisation

• Andreas Natsch, Givaudan Suisse SA
• Markus Hoffmann, Federal Office for Public Health (FOPH)

Session 2 - NAMs in the validation pipeline: progress in inhalation toxicity

• Barbara Rothen, Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg

Session 3 – NAMs in the validation pipeline: frontiers in developmental neurotoxicity

• Kristina Heck, DNTOX GmbH
• Marie-Gabrielle Zurich Fontanellaz, University of Lausanne, & Nancy Hopf, Unisanté