New Approach Methodologies (NAMs):
The Future of Safety Testing
New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) are modern scientific approaches used to evaluate chemical and biological safety without relying primarily on traditional animal testing. These methods include, and sometime combine laboratory-based human cell systems, computational modeling, and advanced biological data analysis to better understand how substances interact with human biology.
Across toxicology, pharmaceutical development, environmental health, and regulatory science, NAMs are helping researchers generate faster, more predictive insights into biological safety. As laboratory technologies and computational tools continue to advance, NAM approaches are becoming an increasingly important part of the global safety testing landscape.

Explore NAM Intelligence Throughout Our Brands
NAMs Shift from Policy to Practice: What Life Science R&D Suppliers Need to Know in 2026
New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) are moving from policy discussion to real adoption reshaping how preclinical research is conducted.
The Regulatory Tailwind Driving 3D Cell Culture’s Next Growth Phase
As regulators support NAMs, 3D cell culture models are gaining traction as predictive alternatives to traditional preclinical testing methods.
NAMs, NIH Policy, and What It Means for Diagnostics
As NIH advances NAM-focused initiatives, diagnostic development is beginning to shift creating new expectations for evidence, validation, and clinical relevance.
NAMs and the Next Inflection Point for Imaging Manufacturers
As NAM adoption expands, imaging manufacturers face new expectations around validation, evidence, and clinical relevance, shaping the next phase of diagnostic innovation.
Why NAMs Are Gaining Momentum
Several scientific, technological, and regulatory developments are accelerating interest in NAM technologies across industry, academia, and government agencies.
Improved Human Relevance
Animal models have historically been used to evaluate biological safety, but they do not always perfectly predict human responses. NAM approaches allow researchers to study human cells, tissues, and biological pathways directly.
Faster Safety Evaluation
High-throughput screening technologies enable scientists to evaluate hundreds or thousands of compounds quickly, helping accelerate discovery and safety testing programs.
Ethical and Regulatory Pressure
Governments and research organizations are increasingly encouraging approaches that reduce reliance on animal testing while maintaining scientific rigor.
Advances in Computational Science
Artificial intelligence and computational biology are enabling predictive toxicology models that help researchers identify potential safety risks earlier in the research process.
Available NAM Intelligence Assets from our Brands

Technologies Driving NAM Innovation
NAM research integrates several emerging technologies designed to better model human biology and biological pathways.
Key technologies include:
-
-
In vitro cell models that study human cellular responses
-
Organ-on-a-chip systems that simulate organ-level biological functions
-
Computational toxicology models that predict biological effects
-
High-throughput screening technologies for rapid compound evaluation
-
Omics technologies that analyze gene and protein activity
-
Together, these technologies provide researchers with more detailed insights into how substances interact with biological systems and potential safety risks.
How Regulators Are Evaluating NAMs
Regulatory agencies around the world are exploring how NAM technologies can be incorporated into chemical and biological safety assessment frameworks.
Organizations supporting NAM research include:
-
-
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
-
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
-
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
-
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
-
These organizations are supporting research programs designed to validate emerging testing approaches and determine how they can complement or enhance traditional safety evaluation methods.

The Future of NAM Research
New Approach Methodologies are expected to play an increasingly important role in scientific research and regulatory safety assessment.
Rather than immediately replacing traditional testing methods, NAM technologies will likely become part of integrated testing strategies where laboratory models, computational tools, and targeted studies work together to provide a more complete understanding of biological risk.
As these technologies continue to evolve, NAMs may help accelerate scientific discovery while improving how researchers evaluate safety and protect human health.
FAQs
Why are New Approach Methodologies gaining momentum?
New Approach Methodologies are gaining momentum because they provide faster, more human-relevant approaches to evaluating chemical and biological safety. Advances in laboratory technologies and computational tools allow researchers to generate predictive insights into biological responses while improving the efficiency and scalability of safety testing programs.
Are NAMs replacing animal testing?
NAMs are not completely replacing animal testing at this time. Instead, they are expanding the scientific tools available for safety evaluation. Many researchers and regulatory agencies are exploring how NAM technologies can complement traditional testing methods as part of integrated safety assessment strategies.
Why are NAMs gaining attention in safety testing?
NAMs are gaining attention because they can provide more human-relevant insights, faster testing capabilities, and new predictive tools for evaluating chemical and biological safety. Advances in laboratory technologies and computational modeling allow researchers to analyze biological responses more efficiently and identify potential risks earlier in the research process.
What industries use NAM approaches?
NAM technologies are used across several sectors that require chemical or biological safety evaluation, including:
-
Pharmaceutical drug development
-
Chemical safety assessment
-
Environmental toxicology
-
Consumer product safety research
These approaches are helping organizations generate faster insights while improving how scientists' study biological responses.
How are regulators evaluating NAM technologies?
Regulatory agencies around the world are exploring how NAM technologies can be incorporated into chemical and biological safety assessment frameworks. Organizations such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) are supporting research programs designed to validate emerging testing approaches and determine how they can complement traditional safety evaluation methods.