Last week, something extraordinary happened: the FDA – the same federal agency that has long acted as a legitimizer, apologist, and engine for the animal research industry – publicly announced a new “roadmap” to “reshape drug development”.
In what observers are calling a “landmark” and “groundbreaking” move, newly-appointed FDA Commissioner Martin Makary set the expectation that the FDA will actively work to replace animal research with human-relevant methodologies.
And, if you want proof that the animal research industry felt the blow, just follow the money. After the FDA’s announcement”:
→ Inotiv’s shares nosedived by 50%;
→ Charles River Laboratories lost 30% of its value; and
→ JOINN Laboratories’ stock fell by up to 13.4%.
That’s not a ripple – it’s a shockwave. And it speaks volumes.
Investors aren’t just jittery. They’re “alarmed” – spooked by the possibility that the U.S. might actually be preparing to move away from animal research.
But, before we celebrate too much too soon, let’s be clear: This fight is far from over.
The animal research industry is already mobilizing to contain the damage.
Groups like the National Association for Biomedical Research – whose Board reads like a roll call of Big Pharma (hello, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, and Charles River) – are working the backchannels, trying to calm their base and influence the FDA.
They’re pitching the announcement as a fluke. A PR stunt. An empty gesture meant to pacify the public.
And they’re not alone.
Financial analysts have joined the spin campaign – calling the announcement “more public relations than a change in policy” – and even urging pharmaceutical companies to keep using animals anyway, just in case international regulators still demand it.
Translation? Don’t worry – animal torture and bad “science” are still sound investments.
Yet, the industry didn’t see the FDA’s announcement coming – and that is telling.
Even though the FDA Modernization Act 2.0 passed years ago, and even though the FDA Modernization Act 3.0 is back on the table, industry insiders are describing the FDA’s announcement as surprising and unexpected.
Why?
Because the animal research industry thought it had the whole game rigged.
Because it assumed that, no matter what Congress passed, the FDA would stay in line.
Because it’s always counted on regulators to nod to reform while quietly doing the industry’s bidding.
And, the hard truth is that it still might be right.
Already, analysts are predicting “minimal near-term impact” on animal research, as well as strong stock market rebounds – including a 314% stock increase for Inotiv over the next year.
In other words, industry insiders are betting that the animal research industry will weather the storm – and come out richer on the other side.
They understand that:
The FDA didn’t promise to ban animal research.
It didn’t declare the end of animal testing.
It didn’t commit to dismantling the exploitation and pseudoscience underpinning the system.
It has, so far, only signaled a potential shift in norms – one that will take years to realize and that the FDA can’t achieve alone.
Indeed, the “success” of the FDA’s roadmap will depend on “funding from Congress and public-private partnerships” – the very kinds of political processes that the animal research industry has a history of quietly stalling, sabotaging, or steering into dead ends.
So, yes, the announcement rattled cages. But the cages remain locked.
And, the animal research industry is organizing, scheming, pouring money and political power into damage control . . . and counting on public attention to fade.
We can’t let that happen.