RIFM Scientist Isabelle Lee to Present NAM-Based Alternatives to Human Testing for Skin Sensitization Risk Assessment
7.27.26
Isabelle Lee, PhD, Manager, Human Health Science and Strategy at the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM), will present research on using New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) to replace traditional human testing in quantitative risk assessment for dermal sensitization.
Dr. Lee will speak during the free webinar, In Vitro Testing and NAM-Based Approaches for Safety Assessment: Applications in Skin Sensitization and Quantitative Risk Assessment, hosted by the Society of Toxicology’s Dermal Toxicology Specialty Section (DTSS) on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. Also from RIFM, Senior Associate Scientist Marissa Guttenberg, PhD, will co-moderate the webinar.
Her presentation, Replacing Human Testing with NAMs: Deriving Points of Departure for Quantitative Risk Assessment of Natural Complex Substances and Mixtures, will explain how NAMs can help establish safe use levels for complex fragrance ingredients and mixtures.
How can NAMs replace human testing in skin sensitization risk assessment?
RIFM has not conducted animal testing for any of its human health endpoints, including skin sensitization, for more than 13 years. Dr. Lee’s presentation addresses the next step: using NAMs to replace traditional human testing used to derive points of departure for quantitative risk assessment.
Quantitative risk assessment for dermal sensitization requires a scientifically sound point of departure. Traditionally, this has often been based on the No Expected Sensitization Induction Level, or NESIL, established through human repeat patch testing.
Dr. Lee will demonstrate how quantitative NAMs, focusing on the GARDskin Dose-Response assay, can be used to derive a NAM-based point of departure. After appropriate uncertainty factors are applied, the result can be used to estimate a NAM-NESIL.
The NAM-NESIL can then be used to calculate Acceptable Exposure Levels for consumer products, including deodorants and bar soaps. These values are compared with estimated Consumer Exposure Levels to determine whether there is an adequate margin of safety.
How can NAMs assess natural complex substances and mixtures?
Natural complex substances contain multiple chemical constituents and may vary in composition. While some can be evaluated through a component-based approach, that strategy is not suitable in every case.
Dr. Lee will present case studies showing how currently available NAMs can be used within a Next Generation Risk Assessment framework to derive points of departure directly for natural complex substances and mixtures.
“RIFM eliminated animal testing for its human health endpoints more than 13 years ago, including for skin sensitization,” Dr. Lee said. “Now, we are demonstrating how NAMs can also replace traditional human testing used to establish points of departure. Applying these methods to natural complex substances and mixtures can build confidence among scientists, regulators, and industry stakeholders and support their broader use in fragrance safety decision-making.”
The webinar, which will be archived and available online after the live event through SOT and DTSS, will also feature Hervé Groux, DVM, PhD, CEO and CSO of ImmunoSearch, who will discuss in vitro testing of complex mixtures using the SENS-IS assay.
Webinar: In Vitro Testing and NAM-Based Approaches for Safety Assessment: Applications in Skin Sensitization and Quantitative Risk Assessment
Date: Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM to 12:15 PM EDT
Host: Society of Toxicology Dermal Toxicology Specialty Section
Cost: Free; registration required