Toxicology
Institut Dr. Schrader Ancopharm

Comprehensive In Vitro Studies for the Safety and for the Efficacy Testing of Cosmetic and Pharmaceutical Products

Safety and protection against adverse effects - these, apart from the desired efficacy, are the most important criteria for the use of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. The Toxicology Department of Institut Dr. Schrader Ancopharm provides with its studies the basis for the safety assessment and risk classification of new cosmetic and pharmaceutical active ingredients and products. With a comprehensive range of services we test formulations and new substances from our customers - for protection of consumers and the industry alike from undesirable developments.

For the EU-Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals (REACh) we offer for our customers screening of literature, toxicological expert reports and strategy and we perform the necessary experiments in our laboratories.

All of the Toxicology Department's studies are performed in vitro with alternative laboratory methods using non-sentient materials. Thanks to our extensive research activities and innovative methods and measuring technologies we are able to fulfil our tasks reliably and are even involved in the development of new alternative methods to animal testing.

Our service catalogue includes in vitro compatibility tests, such as skin irritation testing on keratinocyte cultures or with reconstructed epidermis models, assessment of eye and mucous membrane irritancy as well as testing for possible phototoxic potential. This test is always required whenever a product could be exposed to the sun after application. These assays are in vitro test alternatives performed during product development or optimization. In addition, we offer a broad spectrum of innovative test methods for proof of efficacy in which possible effects caused by the product or active ingredient can be detected on the cellular level in target cells and tissue models.


Every in vitro test can be combined with a broad range of endpoints (e.g. LDH release, cytokine expression, photo documentation of the morphology) in order to increase its informative value.

We would be glad to develop customized test methods upon request.