The UK’s New Strategy to Replace Animals in Science: What It Means for the Future of Research and Why PeptiMatrix Plans to Play a Key Role

The UK Government’s newly published strategy on replacing animals in science marks one of the most decisive policy shifts in recent years across the life sciences sector. For the first time, the Government has set out a coordinated, cross-departmental plan to accelerate the development, validation and regulatory uptake of non-animal methods, with clear timelines and a national infrastructure to support delivery.

Beyond a policy paper, it is a recognition that UK science is at a tipping point. Advances in human-relevant models, organoids, 3D cell systems, biomimetic extracellular matrix platforms, in silico tools and data-driven prediction now make it possible to replace many animal approaches with more precise, more predictive, and more human-relevant science. The strategy aims to turn that scientific potential into routine practice.

At PeptiMatrix, we welcome this shift and see it as an essential step towards modern, reproducible, and ethically grounded research. These are exciting times for the UK’s life sciences community, and PeptiMatrix looks forward to contributing to the next phase of this transformation.

A Clear National Commitment to Change

The strategy sets out a clear and coordinated plan to drive the transition away from animal testing. With £75 million in new funding, the plan will establish a national hub for data, technology and expertise, alongside a new UK Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (UKCVAM) to speed up regulatory acceptance.

Five research teams, backed by the Medical Research Council, Innovate UK and the Wellcome Trust, will also focus on human in vitro models of the liver, brain, cancer, pain, and blood vessels. Together, these initiatives signal a strong, long-term investment in the science needed to make replacement both practical and sustainable.

Driving Innovation: From AI to Organ-on-a-Chip

The strategy highlights several emerging technologies as central to the shift away from animals:

• Organ-on-a-chip systems that mimic how human organs function using real human cells.

• AI-based approaches capable of analysing vast datasets to predict whether new medicines will be safe and effective in humans.

• 3D bioprinted tissues that replicate realistic human tissue environments for studying disease and toxicity.

These technologies, when combined with human-derived extracellular matrix systems, will enable research that is both more representative and more predictive of human biology. Recent work by Nitsche et al. (2025) has validated PeptiMatrix hydrogels for organ-on-chip applications, demonstrating their suitability for advanced microphysiological models. In parallel, our collaboration with SPT Labtech is exploring bioprinting applications of our hydrogels to create highly defined and scalable 3D tissue systems. Together, these developments illustrate how next-generation ECM technologies can integrate seamlessly into the wider ecosystem of human-relevant research tools

Recognising the University of Nottingham’s Contribution to Animal-Free Innovation

One part of the strategy is particularly meaningful for us at PeptiMatrix, as it highlights research led by Dr Jennifer Ashworth at the University of Nottingham, noting that: 

“Researchers from the University of Nottingham have developed non-animal derived hydrogels to replace commonly used scaffolds that are derived from animals. These hydrogels have been used successfully for breast cancer cells, including both established cell lines and patient-derived samples, reducing the reliance on animal-derived scaffolds and the need for implantation into mice.” (Footnote 40, referencing J. Ashworth et al.)

This work forms part of the scientific foundations that later contributed to the creation of PeptiMatrix. It provided early evidence that defined, non-animal extracellular matrix systems can support human-relevant biology and offered a clear alternative to traditional animal-derived materials. Its inclusion in the national strategy is a welcome recognition of progress in this area and of the growing momentum behind more reproducible, predictive, and human-centred approaches.

The Role of Industry in Delivery

The strategy also underscores that industry must play a central, proactive role in achieving this transition.The government’s vision depends on collaboration between researchers, technology developers, and regulators to validate and implement new methods at scale.

By positioning the UK as a global leader in human-relevant science, the plan opens new opportunities for companies developing advanced materials, predictive tools and in vitro platforms. Industry input will be crucial to ensure that the next generation of non-animal technologies is robust, standardised and aligned with real-world research needs.

PeptiMatrix’s Role in the Transition

PeptiMatrix was founded on the principle that the future of biomedical science depends on moving away from animal-derived systems. Our peptide-based extracellular matrix platform was developed to provide a fully-defined, reproducible, and human-relevant alternative to traditional materials derived from EHS mouse sarcoma.

As the new national strategy takes effect, we plan to:

• Continue to support collaborations with academic and industrial partners developing organ-on-a-chip and 3D tissue models.

• Work with the UK’s emerging validation and regulatory networks to help establish standards for non-animal ECM technologies.

• Share expertise on matrix design, reproducibility and scalability to accelerate adoption across research and preclinical testing environments.

  
  

Through these activities, PeptiMatrix aims to contribute to the infrastructure and innovation ecosystem the strategy describes, helping ensure that new technologies reach the laboratory, the clinic, and ultimately the patient faster.

Looking Ahead

The UK’s new plan signals a major shifting point for science, innovation, and industry. With substantial new investment, clear targets, and a focus on collaboration, the strategy lays the groundwork for a future where animal-free research becomes the norm rather than the exception.

For PeptiMatrix, whose work builds on the very advances recognised in this document, it is both validation and inspiration. We look forward to continuing to work with academic, regulatory, and industry partners to help deliver the next generation of human-relevant, reproducible research systems.

We’d also love to hear from anyone interested in joining this transition. To find out how we can help you move towards animal-free research, contact us at info@peptimatrix.com.