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Jay Bhattacharya unveils new NIH office to reduce animal testing
The initiative aims to accelerate the adoption of alternatives to animal testing.
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Malvika Choudhary - Wed, 17, Jun 2026
- 17:38 EDT
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Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director and acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), arrives to testify before a U.S. House Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee oversight hearing on the National Institutes of Health, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 17, 2026. / REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz/File Photo
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Jay Bhattacharya on June 15 launched the agency’s new office to accelerate the use of human-based research technologies and reduce reliance on animal testing.
The Office of Research Innovation, Validation, and Application (ORIVA) will coordinate agency-wide efforts to develop, validate, and scale New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), including 3D human tissue models, organoids, computational tools, and other animal-free research methods designed to better reflect human biology.
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“Complex computational models, 3D human tissue models, and other emerging technologies have improved by leaps and bounds in recent years and may hold the key to a more effective research enterprise,” Bhattacharya said.
“By strategically capitalizing on these tools and encouraging further innovation, NIH aims to steer biomedical research in this direction,” he added.
The announcement formalizes a strategy first outlined by Bhattacharya in April 2025, when NIH said it would prioritize human-based research technologies and establish ORIVA as part of a broader effort to modernize biomedical research.
At the time, the agency pledged to increase support for non-animal methods, incorporate experts in alternative technologies into grant review processes, and track spending on animal and human-based research.
The move comes amid a broader shift across the federal government toward alternatives to animal testing. Regulators and researchers have increasingly explored the use of organoids, organ-on-a-chip systems, computational modeling, and artificial intelligence to improve the translation of research findings into human treatments.
According to NIH, traditional animal models have played a critical role in scientific discovery and drug development. However, differences between animals and humans can limit how effectively findings translate to human disease, particularly in areas such as cancer and Alzheimer's research.
“NIH is committed to accelerating innovation and transparently assessing where animal use can be reduced or eliminated by transitioning to NAMs,” said Nicole Kleinstreuer. “The goal of ORIVA is to create systemic change, enacting a foundational shift across the scientific landscape that will translate to better human health.”
ORIVA will be housed within the Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives in the NIH Office of the Director and will serve as a hub for interagency coordination and regulatory translation.
One division will focus on funding opportunities, research infrastructure, and training, while another will coordinate efforts across government agencies to evaluate and facilitate the acceptance of new research methods.
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