Life Sciences to Policy – new
Scientific evidence is essential for effective public health and environmental policy, yet it often struggles to inform decision-making in practice. Complexity, uncertainty, and competing interests can hinder the use of science in policy processes, particularly when prevention is at stake.
Altertox supports scientific and research communities, public authorities in navigating these challenges by strengthening the science-policy interface and enabling informed, preventive action.
2014 Award Recognition
Altertox was recognised for its pioneering work at the science–policy interface.
Turning Science into Actionable Policy
What We Do
We design and facilitate science–policy processes, structure dialogue between scientists, policymakers and civil society, and help make complex evidence usable for decision‑making.
Who We Work With
- Scientific and research communities
- Policymakers and public authorities
- Civil society organisations
- Stakeholders in health & environmental safety policy
AI IN HUMAN HEALTH
(VIRTUAL HUMAN TWIN)
Why ?
The EU healthcare system stands at a pivotal moment. With AI adoption at just 11% among EU companies (far below the 2030 target of 75%), regulatory inertia risks stalling progress.
Meanwhile, the global digital twins’ market in healthcare is projected to grow from $1.63 billion in 2023 to $21.11 billion by 2028, underlining the economic stakes.
How ?
The European Union’s competitiveness depends on its ability to embrace digital innovation, particularly in healthcare. Artificial intelligence (AI) holds immense potential to revolutionize personalized medicine and clinical trials, but this requires robust support from the European Parliament through upcoming legislation, such as the European Health Data Space (EHDS), the Medical Device Regulation (MDR). AI represents a double-edged sword for EU industries: it can drive competitiveness and leadership, but failure to integrate it swiftly risks falling behind global counterparts.
Who ?
The EU Virtual Human Twin (VHT) initiative4 and the VHT5 consortium which represents approximately 100 organizations—including patient advocacy groups, industry leaders, and research centers— intend to drive this fantastic opportunity. It demonstrates Europe’s readiness for AI adoption in healthcare. VHT supporters assert that the tools and infrastructure are already in place, offering tangible benefits for patients and healthcare practitioners. However, policy and regulatory frameworks lag behind technological progress. Without alignment, these advances cannot be effectively implemented, undermining the potential impact on healthcare for EU citizen. This mirrors well the current concerns of EU citizens (aged 16-30) with almost three in ten (29%) that want the EU to prioritise social protection, welfare and access to healthcare.
NON COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
(HUMAN EXPOSOME)
Why ?
Human health is influenced significantly by our environment, with 70% of health outcomes linked to environmental factors and only 30% to genetic factors. This underscores the immense potential of public policy to improve human health as well as social fairness by implementing and promoting activities that bring meaningful changes. Achieving this requires comprehensive dataset ranging from urbanism, mobility, lifestyle, health, toxicology to climate change.
How ?
The Human Exposome, which encompasses the integrated compilation of all physical, chemical, biological, and psychosocial influences that impact biology, requires a comprehensive characterization to translate its potential into medicine and public health practice. In the last five years, coordinated European research initiatives on the exposome have brought new clarity to this effort. These initiatives represent the largest global exposome research endeavour, with a budget exceeding €100 million. The outcomes will support the EU innovation-led productivity key technological fields such as biotech, advanced materials and AI as identified in the competitiveness compass.
Who ?
The Human Exposome, is meant to complement the Human Genome Project with the exposure side of disease. Achieving this ambitious goal demands an international, coordinated effort involving governments, organizations, scientists, funders, the technology sector and the public, — a “moonshot” approach. The inaugural Exposome Moonshot Forum aims to gather these diverse stakeholders to collaboratively translate the exposome from concept to utility.
PRODUCT SAFETY
(NAMS)
Why ?
According to estimates of the European Environment Agency (EEA), approximately 70% of around 100,000 chemicals on the EU market have been poorly assessed for their safe use. At the same time, the volume and diversity of chemicals continues to increase. Relying solely on animal testing to assess safety will not ensure that chemicals of concern are minimized and substituted as fast as possible.
How ?
Solutions such as the use of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs, including in vitro methods and computational modelling (in silico), omics’ as well as read-across and grouping have the potential to address the bottleneck. Moreover, regulatory science 2.0 for chemicals will need to focus its attention on 1) the molecular biology that led to adverse effects in the population and the environment (Adverse outcome patways – AOP) 2) the long-term effect on multiple organs (systemic toxicity) and 3) simplification of current chemical risk assessment.
Who ?
The ASPIS cluster is tackling these challenges. It is a joint collaboration of the H2020 funded projects ONTOX, PrecisionTox, RISK-HUNT3R and represents Europe’s effort towards the sustainable, animal-free and reliable chemical risk assessment of tomorrow.
ASPIS (Animal-free Safety assessment of chemicals: Project cluster for Implementation of novel Strategies) brings together the three consortia funded under the European Commission’s call for projects advancing the safety assessment of chemicals without the use of animal testing. Collectively, we represent more than 70 institutions across 16 European countries and the U.S. delivering on a €60 million investment in providing timely answers about chemicals’ effects on human health and the environment.
Human Exposome & Noncommunicable diseases
Altertox has a strong expertise in environmental health and the exposome approach, which considers the totality of environmental exposures across the life course.
Beyond research, Altertox plays an active role in structuring the science–policy interface around the exposome by building and coordinating the Exposome Alliance, a platform that brings together scientists, policymakers and civil society actors to advance prevention-oriented policies.
Policy Engagement & Regulatory Impact
Expertise
Transparency
Network
Know-how
High-Level EU & Stakeholder Engagement
We conduct engagements with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), parliamentary offices, political advisers, NGOs, trade associations, scientific experts, and EU policymakers to support dialogue on emerging regulatory and scientific issues.
We organise multiple events at the European Parliament focused on life sciences research and innovation, bringing together policymakers, researchers, industry representatives, and civil society stakeholders to promote evidence-based policy discussions.
Legislative & Regulatory Contributions
Contributed expertise to major EU legislative and regulatory files, including:
- MFF
- EU Biotech Act
- Detergents Regulation
- Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP)
- Pharmaceutical Package
- EU Beating Cancer Plan
- Resolution on phasing out animal testing in the EU
- REACH & CLP consultations
- …
Science-Based Policy Leadership
Through sustained engagement with EU institutions, researchers, industry stakeholders, and civil society organizations, we strengthened the visibility of science-based approaches within the European policy landscape.
Our activities contributed to informed dialogue on innovation, public health, and alternatives to animal testing across multiple EU policy initiatives.