Veterinary and Comparative Pharmacology

Smarter, safer pharmacotherapy guided by interspecies understanding

Our research in veterinary and comparative pharmacology aims to understand why animals of different species, breeds, and physiological states鈥攕uch as age or reproductive status鈥攔espond differently to chemical agents. These differences often stem from variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. By uncovering these mechanisms, we support optimized pharmacotherapy that balances therapeutic benefits for animal health and welfare with potential risks to animals, humans, and the environment.

The evolution of veterinary pharmacology from a descriptive to a predictive science opens new possibilities for safer and more effective therapies

To promote ethical and resource-efficient research, we are committed to minimizing the use of animals in veterinary drug development and toxicological studies. We focus on in silico approaches that leverage existing knowledge and predictive modeling, while collaborating closely with experimental scientists developing advanced in vitro models and with clinicians to gather patient-related data. This integrated strategy enables robust, reliable, and clinically relevant insights to support safer and more effective decision-making in veterinary medicine and chemical risk assessment.

Improving pharmacotherapeutic outcomes in animals

Using the right drug, at the right dose, at the right time, for the right animal(s) is fundamental to effective pharmacotherapy鈥攕upporting both clinical success and the responsible use of veterinary medicines such as antimicrobials, antiparasitics, and analgesics.

To uphold this principle, we employ advanced empirical and predictive mathematical models to integrate, analyse and interpret data from pharmacological studies, in vitro experiments, clinical trials, diagnostic tests and real-world practice. These models help refine dosing strategies across species by generating new insights that inform clinical decision-making at both individual and population levels.

This evidence-based approach improves therapeutic efficacy, minimizes the risk of adverse effects, curbs the development of resistance, and helps reduce the broader impact on environmental and public health.

Developing new approach methodologies in risk assessment for animals

Animals, like humans, are continuously exposed to a wide range of chemical substances through their shared environment. These include pesticides, environmental contaminants, and feed additives that enter their systems via water, soil, and food. Moreover, animals can serve as a conduit of these substances to humans through the consumption of animal-derived products such as meat, milk, and eggs, making animal health and safety a crucial component of broader public health.

Given the vast number of substances in use today鈥攃ombined with the potential for complex mixture effects鈥攊t is neither ethically acceptable nor practically feasible to investigate all possible hazards and exposures through traditional animal experiments alone. This challenge demands innovative, science-driven solutions.

Our research contributes to the advancement of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) in risk assessment, focusing particularly on their application in animal health. NAMs encompass in vitro systems, in silico models, and data integration frameworks to reduce reliance on animal testing and offer the potential to generate deeper insights into toxicological mechanisms, improve predictability, and support more robust and humane risk management strategies.

Our team members