About XCellR8
XCellR8 was launched in 2008 when we began our journey to provide scientifically advanced testing services to the cosmetic and chemical industries, without the use of animals or animal products.
Our 3,500 sq ft, state-of-the-art laboratory can be found on the National Science and Innovation Campus at Sci-Tech Daresbury, Cheshire, UK.
IMPROVING HUMAN SAFETY
Our founders, Dr Carol Treasure and Bushra Sim remain the independent owners of XCellR8 today.
From an early stage in their careers, they concluded that animal testing poses not only ethical issues, but scientific ones too, and so founded XCellR8 to improve methods for predicting human safety using human cell culture and other in vitro techniques.
In 2013, the laboratory achieved Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) accreditation, followed by the Lush Prize for training. Soon after, in what we believe to be a world first, XCellR8’s animal-product-free adaptations of existing tests for skin sensitisation, skin and eye irritation and skin corrosion gained regulatory recognition from OECD and ECHA.
INVESTMENT IN INNOVATION
We have attracted funding from prestigious bodies Innovate UK and the Horizon 2020 programme to support our R&D work, including programmes to find animal-free tests for acute toxicity and improved models for measuring mildness to skin.
In 2018, we celebrated our 1,000th test for longstanding client Lush and started working with another famous ethical brand, The Body Shop. We also moved to new premises to increase our laboratory capacity, thanks to increasing client demand. As in vitro safety tests increasingly become the default rather than an alternative method, we continue to innovate and introduce new testing services to the industry.
Our Mission & Values
Our mission is: ‘To accelerate the world’s transition to 100% animal-free testing.’ We are working towards this by constantly developing new methods to replace outdated animal tests.
We also contribute to OECD expert working groups, speak regularly at international conferences and have even taken part in a debate at the United Nations General Assembly. Our values guide our approach and we use them to recruit likeminded people to join our team.
Xtraordinary
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Inspired by pioneering animal-free science
Xcellence
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Delivering exceptional quality in all that we do
Xemplary
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Always treating others with respect and integrity
Xtramile
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Consistently exceeding expectations
Why choose us
ANIMAL PRODUCTS ELIMINATED FROM ALL TESTS FOR
A MORE ETHICAL SUPPLY CHAIN
GET TO MARKET FASTER
WITH TURNAROUND TIMES FROM AS LITTLE AS 6 WEEKS
GLP ACCREDITED BY MHRA
FOR REGULATORY IN VITRO SAFETY TESTING
Who we work with
We test raw materials and finished products for leading cosmetic brands, chemical companies and ingredient manufacturers around the world. Our safety assessments are used for cosmetics, skincare, moisturisers, shampoos, household cleaners, light industrial chemicals, dermatological treatments and much more.
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