132625REDLAB Going Global - REDucing LABoratory Rodent Numbers by driving adoption of UK TechnologyClosedFeasibility StudiesInnovate UKThe creation of genetically modified animals, primarily mice and rats, has revolutionised understanding of disease processes in animal models. Transgenic biotechnologies utilise large numbers of animals: females and males to generate embryos for genetic manipulation, females to provide a host uterus to support the development of embryos, and infertile males to induce ‘pseudopregnancy’ in recipient females. In the UK alone, 1.2 million mice were used in breeding programmes for production of transgenic mice in 2014. Scientists are required to comply with the principle of the “Three Rs” (Replacement Reduction and Refinement) to minimize the number of animals used in experimentation and to reduce pain and suffering. Ostara has developed a patented pessary system that supersedes the use of vasectomised males in the induction of pseudopregnancy and enhances transgenic embryo implantation rates in the host mothers. The project will see this breakthrough technology demonstrated and promoted globally: the objective of gaining widespread dissemination, adoption and tests can produce an 80% reduction mice numbers.