Author: aurelia boige

🔬 Pepper 2025: Call for Endocrine Disruption Test Methods 🔬

Every year, Pepper supports the validation of innovative test methods for endocrine disruption — and the 2025 selection round is now open!

We invite public and private laboratories to submit methods that:
✅ Demonstrate high technological maturity (solid written protocol and sufficient data — see ReadEDtest)
✅ Address regulatory needs (especially for modes of action currently lacking validated tests)
✅ Fit into integrated assessment strategies
✅ Show strong potential for dissemination across laboratories
✅ Present no legal or logistical barriers

🚫 Please note:

• In silico methods
• Methods outside the 3R framework
• Methods already undergoing validation
• Methods duplicating existing validated tests
  are not eligible.

📅 Deadline for submission: 31 August 2025
🗓 Selection: October 2025 (by the Pepper Relevance Committee) 💡

Submit your method and contribute to the future of endocrine disruption testing: https://ed-pepper.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Call-for-methods-2025-1.docx

We’re thrilled to share a milestone edition of our newsletter — now delivered via Mailchimp, in a fresh format with the same trusted expertise !

👉 Dive into the full newsletter here : https://urlr.me/AVKZYh

Here’s a glimpse of what’s inside:

👩‍🔬 Want to meet our new CEO ?
Céline Boudet has officially joined Pepper ! With 25+ years in environmental health and toxicology, she’s bringing bold leadership to drive scientific excellence and regulatory impact.

🌐 What did we learn at SOT 2025 ?
From DNT to endocrine disruption, the Society of Toxicology meeting in Orlando highlighted the global momentum for NAMs.

🔬 How is Europe advancing New Approach Methodologies ?
Get the inside track on Pepper’s role in NAMWISE, ValNAM, and strategic EU initiatives shaping the future of innovative regulatory science.

📚 How do you manage a method validation project ?
Our first hands-on training course brought together experts to build real-world validation skills. See what’s next and how to join!

🎤 What’s next on the calendar ?
We’re heading to key scientific events this summer. Plus, find out how we’re contributing to France’s national strategy on endocrine disruptors.

And more!

PDF version:

Pepper was pleased to participate in the 64th Society of Toxicology (hashtag#SOT2025) Annual Meeting in Orlando. Our Director, Philippe Hubert, contributed to a Continuing Education session focused on the development and regulatory alignment of New Approach Methods (NAMs). Below is a document that summaries impressions and insights from the event.

At Pepper, we are committed to advancing the professionalization of method validation. We recently had the privilege of providing specialized training to a member of the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) on validation principles. This session was delivered by our expert, Andrea Rivero Arze, PhD (Ecotoxicologist), and marks a significant step in our long-term collaboration.

We appreciate BfR’s trust in us as a partner in this journey. This training serves as a foundation for future cooperation, supporting efforts to enhance expertise in method validation.

At Pepper, we believe that validation should be a professional competency, and we are dedicated to equipping experts with the knowledge they need. As part of this commitment, we now offer on-demand training for professionals looking to integrate validation into their careers.

If you are interested in advancing your expertise in validation, feel free to reach out to us.
✉️ contact@ed-pepper.eu

We are happy to announce that Kevin Schlüppmann has joined the Pepper team as our new Validation Project Manager. In this role, Kevin will coordinate and support the validation of new test methods at Pepper, ensuring our processes remain at the forefront of scientific innovation.

Kevin’s Role at Pepper

As Validation Project Manager, Kevin will be instrumental in overseeing the validation of novel test methods. His efforts will enhance the accuracy and reliability of our testing procedures, contributing significantly to our commitment to excellence.

His Background and Expertise

Kevin holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in toxicology. During his PhD, he specialized in endocrine disruption and developmental neurotoxicity, focusing on developing in vitro test methods to detect chemicals that adversely affect brain development. This specialized knowledge positions Kevin uniquely to drive advancements in our validation processes.

We are confident that Kevin’s expertise and dedication will be invaluable assets to Pepper. Welcome aboard, Kevin! 🚀

Prepare to 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗲𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 engaged in validating methods for the characterization of endocrine disruptors.

We are happy to announce the call for “testing laboratories” for the hashtag#𝘃𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 2 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗠𝗘𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗗𝗦 “Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ Transactivation Assay (PPARγ-TA)” and “Progesterone Receptor Transactivation Assay (PR-TA)”.

ℹ️: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘸𝘰 𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵. 𝘓𝘢𝘣𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘳 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘥𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺.

To apply, send your offer no later than the 20𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹, following the instructions on the attached document to philippe.hubert@ed-pepper.eu and to torben.osterlund@ed-pepper.eu.

➡️ You can also reach out to Philippe in person if you are at the SOT in Orland (16-20 March).

📨 If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us!

We are pleased to announce that Philippe Hubert , 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗘𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗥, 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 Society of Toxicology (SOT) 2025 Annual Meeting in Orlando during 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻.

📅 Sunday, March 16
⏰ 8:15 AM – 12:00 Noon
📍 Location: Room W204A, Convention Center
🎤 Continuing Education Course AM04: “𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗔𝗠 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻” (abstract #1004)

>This course explores the development, validation, and regulatory implementation of non-animal methods (NAMs) in alignment with OECD guidelines. Topics include method readiness, validation efficiency, peer review, IATA frameworks, and industry adoption. Attendees will gain insights into refining testing strategies, building scientific confidence, and ensuring regulatory acceptance of NAMs to address complex toxicity endpoints and support global 3Rs initiatives.

This session will bring together experts from various sectors to discuss critical topics such as:
✅ The evolving landscape of toxicological testing
✅ OECD guidelines for NAM validation
✅ How to build scientific confidence in complex non-animal methods

Philippe will deliver the 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗮𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. Readiness assessment is a key step to measure the development progress of a method.

As Pepper works toward eliminating endocrine disruptors through validation of methods relevant for regulatory implementation, this session aligns perfectly with our goal to advance 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲, 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴.

We look forward to engaging in insightful discussions and connecting with fellow experts. If you are attending hashtag#SOT2025, make sure to join the session and meet Philippe Hubert in person.

🔗 For more details, visit: https://lnkd.in/eV3cKJym

Last December, we celebrated PEPPER’s 5th anniversary!
On this occasion, Philippe Hubert (Director), Philippe Prudhon (President), and Ella Atlas (President of the Scientific Council), shared their views on the evolution of the project, its major achievements and future prospects for Pepper and method validation.