On April 24, 2026 – World Laboratory Animal Day – the annual Proefdiervrij Event will take place at CORPUS, near Leiden. During this event scientists, companies, pioneers, investors, and students come together to take a giant step towards the implementation of animal-free innovation. The models are available; the insights are there to take away; and the lessons have been learned – so now it’s time for implementation, scaling up, validation, and taking decisive action.
Do you also feel lost occasionally, because there are so many initiatives – and do you no longer know where to look? We will take you by the hand by creating order out of the chaos. We filter the information overload and show what is truly important for your professional practice or research. Listen to your need to accelerate and, together with us, set the pace towards an animal-free future!
Why you have to be there
Of course, animal-free innovation is important, and we want to showcase everything that is currently happening. However, we also see the focus shifting: from ‘this must change’ to ‘this can change’! At the Proefdiervrij Event 2026, we will focus on the next steps. What do you need to move forward in working animal-free? We help you bring order in the chaos of regulations, tune in on the need for validation, and look closely into implementation possibilities. Your challenge is our fuel. We help you on your way with accurate information on animal-free models, techniques, financing, and regulations.
The program & location
The Proefdiervrij Event 2026 will take place – just like last year – at CORPUS, an interactive museum in Oegstgeest (near Leiden) completely dedicated to the human body. For us, this is the ideal place to demonstrate that animal-free innovations are more ethical for animals, but also essential for better, human-centered research methods. In this unique museum – which literally represents a journey through the body – it becomes immediately clear why the future of research must and can be animal-free!
This event is all about action: not just talking about innovation, but working on the next step – the implementation and widespread use of animal-free technologies. During the event, you can expect the following program components:
- Keynotes & expert sessions on what is needed to take the next step in animal-free research.
- Information market with news and presentations from the field.
- Networking opportunities to engage directly with companies, researchers, and investors.
- The presentation of the Proefdiervrij Venture Challenge 2026 – discover which startup will make a difference in the world of animal-free technologies.
[Important: The final programme will be communicated on this page and via our socials such as LinkedIn at the end of March].
Who is the event for?
Anyone working with animal-free techniques or wishing to examine this issue closely is welcome to attend the event. We explicitly invite scientists, policymakers, decision-makers, pioneers, and innovation drivers to attend. Also, we aim at Life Sciences departments at universities, research centers, and companies.
Come to the Proefdiervrij Event 2026 if you want to learn more about implementing animal-free methods or scaling up your idea; validating your method or product; reducing the number of laboratory animals in your organization; or focusing on the initiatives, guidelines, and opportunities in animal-free research that really matter.
Visit our event to hear the latest news, kickstart your own plans, and navigate the exciting field. Networking opportunities and inspiration guaranteed!
The award ceremony of the Proefdiervrij Venture Challenge
In this sixth edition of the Proefdiervrij Venture Challenge, we present 5 promising teams that have spent the past three months working on the business skills needed to successfully bring their animal-free innovations to market. One team will go home with a substantial cash prize to actually execute this plan. In addition to this grand jury prize, a public prize will also be awarded for the first time. All attendees are welcome to vote!
The teams of 2026 are:
- Daranamix: has developed the Multi-Heart Plate (MHP), a human-centered solution for animal models for research into heart diseases and medicines.
- ViroGenesis: produces high-quality, clinical-grade respiratory viruses using completely animal-free human lung organoid technology.
- LubaLabs: technology that makes it possible to track tissue mechanics in organoids over time.
- PArtCell Solutions: creating artificial cells in the lab, without animal components, to subsequently model diseases on, like Huntingtons.
- NuClear: the development of a sensitive, scalable, and human-relevant test that accelerates the discovery of cystic fibrosis drugs, without the use of animal testing.
The final part of the program during the Animal-Free Event is a pitch by each team, after which the winning team is selected (for both the jury prize and the audience prize). Don’t miss it!
Get your free ticket!
Are you ready to determine your next step with us on the road to an animal-free world? Tell us what you need, and together we will enrich science – for animals, humans, and innovation. You will go home with concrete ideas that you can start working on the very next day. Lead the way in ethical and sustainable innovation and reserve your free ticket!
