The Dieter Lütticken Award aims to encourage research into the use of in-vitro models, which replace animal testing for product licensing purposes, as well as studies avoiding the use of animals in efficacy, safety and quality testing of biological and pharmaceutical products for animals.

With a prize fund of 20,000 euros, the award is sponsored by animal health company Intervet and is intended to be presented to Dr Stevens by Dr Ellen de Brabander, Vice President Research and Development, Intervet at a special ceremony during the 6th World Congress on Alternatives in August in Tokyo, Japan.

Dr Stevens’ laboratory has developed several animal models to study the pathogenesis of enteric bacterial infections of livestock and uses novel genetic methods to dissect the molecular basis of bacterial virulence. The panel of expert judges characterized Dr Stevens’ work as being a coherent and integrative approach to both applied and fundamental research that has significantly advanced the 3Rs. Particularly relevant in ‘Refinement’, was the work conducted in collaboration with other high level research groups on in-vitro organ culture models to quantify bacterial adherence and tissue tropism ex vivo, an original study at the leading edge of veterinary science.

The company’s annual award is named after Dr. Dieter Lütticken, a committed researcher in microbiology and virology. Dieter was a respected figure who guided and shaped Intervet’s R&D for more than a quarter of a century and he established what became a tradition – Intervet’s sound support and close collaboration with research institutes as a basis for development of new products. Dieter Lütticken retired in June 2003 from his position as Vice President and Intervet's Head of R&D.

Intervet actively screens at country level for suitable applications. However, Intervet welcomes submissions for the Dieter Lütticken Award from all scientists and life-science research institutions, excluding commercial organizations. Details on procedure for applications for next year’s award will be published soon.