Indiana – A seven-month undercover investigation by the Humane Society of the United States has revealed the harsh conditions inside Inotiv, an animal testing laboratory in Indiana. Thousands of animals are killed there each year.

The footage highlights the suffering endured by dogs, rabbits, primates, mice, and other animals used in drug safety tests.

Following the investigation, Humane World for Animals and Humane World Action Fund applauded the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s decision to phase out animal testing for certain biologics and drugs.

The FDA announced a three- to five-year plan to make animal studies the exception rather than the norm in pre-clinical safety and toxicity testing. The goal is to prioritize human-relevant science and reduce animal suffering.

“This dramatic shift in direction will spare countless animals from suffering while encouraging faster, more reliable and safe drug development that helps people,” said Kitty Block, president and CEO of Humane World for Animals.

New methods such as organ-on-a-chip, 3D bioprinting, artificial intelligence, and advanced cell models are proving to be more predictive and efficient than traditional animal testing.

The FDA’s move comes as the Environmental Protection Agency renews its own plan to end mammal testing, a policy first introduced in 2019.

Sara Amundson, president of Humane World Action Fund, said this is a critical step forward. She emphasized the need for strong commitment to validate and implement non-animal methods.

The FDA’s announcement follows years of advocacy from Humane World for Animals and Humane World Action Fund. A legal petition submitted last year urged the agency to remove legal requirements for animal testing and issue guidance supporting non-animal approaches.

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