RIFM is a well-respected international scientific institute that, through an independent expert panel and a comprehensive library of chemicals, ensures the safe use of fragrance ingredients in consumer products. The collaboration between SenzaGen and RIFM commenced in 2021 and has gradually expanded, incorporating more ingredients with the aim of promoting animal-free testing and fragrance safety. In this project, SenzaGen will utilize its proprietary, unique method, GARD®skin Dose-Response, to assess fragrance ingredients from RIFM's reference library. The method has been adapted to identify the levels at which substances can induce skin allergies when exposed to sunlight (photosensitization).

"Our collaboration with RIFM continues to evolve into the field of photosensitization. Through this collaboration, we look forward to advancing non-animal scientific innovation and enhancing consumer safety. RIFM's scientific evaluations are a highly important reference for the industry and contribute to building up the knowledge base of our effective and accurate GARD® technology”, says Peter Nählstedt, President and CEO of SenzaGen.

"We are excited to continue our work with SenzaGen on the GARD®skin Dose Response assay for photosensitization. We have expanded our pool of reference chemicals to gain a deeper understanding of how the assay might help us identify potential photoallergens and even to distinguish photoirritants from photoallergens", says Gretchen Ritacco, Principal Scientist, Phototoxicology at RIFM.

The GARD®skin Dose-Response test method provides quantitative information and replaces animal testing when assessing the concentration at which skin-sensitizing substances can be used without causing skin allergies. In the RIFM project, the test materials are exposed to sunlight in one step to identify their photosensitization, providing companies in industries including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and chemicals a crucial basis for prioritization and decision-making in research and development. The test is an expanded application domain of GARD®skin, and it is the first genomics-based test of its kind on the market.

For more information, please contact:
Peter Nählstedt, President and CEO, SenzaGen AB
Email: peter.nahlstedt@senzagen.com | Mobil: +46 700 23 44 31

Gretchen Ritacco, Principal Scientist, Phototoxicology, RIFM
Email: gritacco@rifm.org Mobil: +1-862-401-2978

About RIFM
Established in 1966, the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM) generates, analyzes, evaluates, and distributes data to provide a scientific basis for the safe use of fragrances. RIFM has compiled the most comprehensive, worldwide source of toxicology data, literature, and general information on fragrance and flavor raw materials. RIFM’s Fragrance Ingredient Safety Assessment program draws from its comprehensive database of over 70,000 references and more than 135,000 human health and environmental studies.

RIFM assesses the safety of fragrance ingredients by the most current, internationally accepted guidelines—and has done so since its founding. The Expert Panel for Fragrance Safety, an independent, international team of researchers and academics with no ties to the fragrance industry, reviews all of RIFM’s work before RIFM submits it for peer-reviewed publication in a reputable scientific journal. RIFM makes all of its published, peer-reviewed work—current and historical—available for free at fragrancematerialsafetyresource.elsevier.com.