Leeds antibody alternative recognised in government science strategy

A lab-produced antibody technology developed by researchers at Leeds has been recognised in a government strategy for reducing the use of animals in scientific research.

Adhirons, referenced in the strategy under their former name, are featured in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) document, Replacing animals in science: A strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods published in November 2025. The strategy highlights non-animal technologies that have the potential to transform research across academia and industry.

Antibodies created in the lab

Developed at Leeds by a team led by Professor Darren Tomlinson and the late Professor Mike McPherson, Adhirons are synthetic binding proteins created entirely in the laboratory. They perform the same roles as traditional antibodies but without the need for animals, offering high precision, consistency and flexibility. 

The role of antibodies in research

Antibodies are essential tools across biological research, diagnostics, biotechnology and drug development, where they are used to detect disease markers, study cell signalling and support the development of new therapies. 
In many applications, Adhirons can act as direct replacements for animal-derived antibodies, allowing laboratories to reduce animal use without changing existing workflows. 

Making antibody alternatives mainstream

Professor Darren Tomlinson said: 

This recognition in a government science strategy is hugely significant. It shows that antibody alternatives like Adhirons are no longer niche, but credible, scalable tools that can genuinely reduce reliance on animals in research. 

“Beyond academic research, the technology has already been licenced within the biopharmaceutical industry to support drug discovery programmes, demonstrating confidence in Adhirons as robust tools for industry as well as academia.” 

“For alternative technologies to deliver real change, they must be accessible and trusted by industry,” Professor Tomlinson added. “Industrial uptake is essential for driving wider adoption and we hope to create further licensing opportunities in the near future.” 

The work has also been supported by the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs). In 2023, Dr Christian Tiede from the Leeds team contributed to an NC3Rs workshop focused on increasing the uptake of non-animal-derived antibodies. 

Dr Christian Tiede said: “The workshop was a real turning point. Bringing together academics, industry and policymakers highlighted that the barriers to adoption aren’t scientific capability, but awareness, validation and accessibility. 

NC3Rs support has been critical in helping move Adhirons from the lab into real-world applications.” 

Dr Katie Bates, Head of Research Funding at NC3Rs, said: 

The recognition of Adhirons in the government’s strategy reflects the readiness of non-animal antibody technologies to be adopted more widely, amplifying their replacement potential. 

“The NC3Rs has supported this work through direct funding and by using our networks to convene researchers, industry and policymakers, addressing key barriers to uptake, including qualification and validation, awareness and accessibility, enabling the replacement of animal-derived antibodies across a range of research applications.”

Subsequent funding for this work from the NC3Rs has supported the development of Adhirons as replacements for secondary antibodies, including work with industry partner Sure Screen Diagnostics to explore their use in lateral flow diagnostic devices. 

The government strategy notes that adoption of non-animal antibody alternatives has been limited by a lack of awareness and availability. Researchers at Leeds are addressing these challenges by optimising stability and storage, expanding applications, and establishing new industrial licensing partnerships to ensure broad access to the technology. 

Further information

Find out more about the Adhiron screening facility at Leeds. For information about the technology, contact Professor Darren Tomlinson.