Toxicology and Preclinical Testing (Animal Models)
Today, I would like to share with you the story of another individual who made a remarkable contribution to the history of drug development. The person who laid the basis for modern preclinical animal model tox evaluations was Johann Wepfer (1620–1695). A Swiss Pioneer of Toxicology and Preclinical Testing (Animal Models).
Long before modern drug development, Wepfer made groundbreaking strides in toxicological analysis. He is best known for his meticulous studies of Cicuta (water hemlock), one of Europe’s deadliest plants, and for using animal models to infer toxicity in humans, thereby laying the foundation for modern preclinical testing.
Wepfer also contributed to early brain vascular studies and was one of the first to warn against the use of arsenic and mercury in medicine, a bold and visionary stance at the time.
Although the use of animals in research dates back to ancient Greek medicine, it was in the 17th century, with Wepfer among the leading figures, that animal models gained scientific legitimacy, helping to shift medicine from tradition to evidence-based experimentation.
His legacy continues: animal models remain vital for evaluating safety and efficacy before human trials.
