Animal testing has always been a divisive topic among industry heads, particularly in the cosmetics industry. On the one hand, everybody wants to look their best; on the other, these products often require numerous tests on animal subjects, tests many people consider unnecessary and brutal. Luckily, In Vitro International (Pink Sheets: IVRO) has a solution to the problem.The company’s business revolves around providing companies with an alternative to animal testing, something that animal rights supporters have been demanding for years. According to the company’s Web site, each of these tests use in vitro – that is, in a test tube – technology to get their results, eliminating the need of an animal subject.
The company has already raised some eyebrows – and interest – with its technology. Richard Ulmer, In Vitro International’s president and CEO, met with members of Europe’s Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) in September 2006 to discuss the company’s technology. There, Ulmer learned that his company’s Corrositex technology had earned full OECD acceptance, and that its Irritection Assay System could “still win European regulatory acceptance in time to meet expected increases in demand tied to 2009 legislation governing new cosmetic products testing,” according to a recent press release.
“I’m real familiar with the industry,” Ulmer told MN1. “Europeans are much more progressive on this idea of doing away with animal testing unless it’s absolutely needed.”
In fact, Ulmer hinted that Europe is planning on doing away with animal testing entirely (except in cases where it’s the only way to receive results, like advanced disease testing) and embracing alternative means of testing cosmetics – and if it does, then he expects the United States and other countries to follow suit.
“That is where the future begins for us,” Ulmer said. “That decision should come for us in the last half of this calendar year. [If this passes,] no more animals may be used on new cosmetic products [in Europe]. That will, in my opinion, loosen the chokehold the U.S. government has on it.”
“It also says something about global cosmetic companies,” Ulmer continued. “They’re not going to do two [different kinds of] testing to satisfy two different countries.”
If this prediction proves true, then companies like Ulmer’s will skyrocket in the next few years. In fact, Ulmer’s counting on such an event, and fully expects business to soar in coming days.
“Our history is one of non-profit until the last four years when we’ve squeaked through,” Ulmer said. “But now we’re investing in R&D again and developing some different assets for the future. The best days for the company are ahead of it.”
