QSAR Toolbox 4.5 for animal-free assessment of skin sensitisation released

The updated QSAR Toolbox (version 4.5) includes an automated workflow for defined approaches for skin sensitisation. The recently published OECD guideline includes computational methods for assessing skin sensitisation without testing on animals. The Toolbox is the only freely available tool that can be used to do that. The new version also has a simplified web interface and enables structural searches in IUCLID databases.

The QSAR Toolbox is a free software supporting chemical hazard assessment, co-developed by ECHA and OECD. It helps to minimise testing on animals. Its results are based on existing experimental data and knowledge on the mechanisms of toxicity.