Widespread government R&D cuts have claimed a number of victims in recent weeks, including lab animals left stranded by fired scientists. 

About 300 animals were killed after federal scientists conducting health and safety research at a lab in West Virginia were suddenly terminated and barred from accessing their workplace, according to reporting by The New York Times. Although the animals were destined to be used in research, the fact that any died before their studies ended amounts to a “complete waste” of animal lives, a scientist interviewed for the piece said.

But animal rights activists also had reasons to cheer this month after the FDA and NIH both announced plans to phase animal testing out of drug R&D. Today, we’re looking closer at those initiatives and whether the industry is ready to say goodbye to animal modeling. 

Thanks for reading. 

Editor’s note: Instead of running the annual PharmaVoice 100 list, we are now taking a new approach and featuring standout leaders all year round in a range of ongoing series. Find out more here and reach out if you know a leader who’d be a great fit.