At the Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting 2026, important discussions around New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) highlighted their growing role in shaping the future of toxicology.

On 24th March 2026, from 1:45 PM to 2:45 PM in Room 23C, a focused session explored the progress and practical application of Translational NAMs, structured around key themes.

The first pillar of the session, led by Abhay Deshpande, provided a clear and practical perspective on the evolution and current status of Translational NAMs.

Setting the Context: A Preamble

The session began with an overview of why Translational NAMs are important. They help bridge early research with real-world regulatory use, while improving prediction and reducing reliance on traditional testing.

Evolution Over Time

The development of Translational NAMs was explained through key milestones. From early concepts to more structured validation efforts, there has been steady progress in their acceptance.

Emerging Scenario

The current landscape shows increasing adoption of NAMs, supported by new technologies, growing regulatory interest, and global collaboration. There is also a shift towards more mechanism-based approaches in safety assessment.

Clarity, Challenges, and Expectations

Despite progress, some challenges remain. There is a need for clearer regulations, better standardization, and alignment across stakeholders. Questions around reproducibility, scalability, and acceptance are still important.

JRF’s Experience with Ring Validations

JRF Global shared its experience in ring validation studies, focusing on its contributions, challenges faced, how they were addressed, and key learnings and achievements.

Key Takeaways

The session concluded by highlighting the importance of collaboration, strong scientific practices, and continued innovation to advance Translational NAMs.