STOCKHOLM, Sweden--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Biovator AB and AstraZeneca R&D have signed an agreement to cooperate on the development of an in Vitro-test that identifies potential allergens. Allergic reactions to compounds found in new pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and foods is a serious risk that needs to be discovered in advance. But until recently, this could only be determined by animal testing. For several years Biovator, often with support from AstraZeneca, has been refining an in Vitro method to take the place of expensive and ethically questionable animal testing. The new test is planned to be ready by 2009, which is also when the EU will forbid the use of animals in the determination of risk for allergic reactions.
