Highlights From the 17th Minipig Research Forum, by Shanté Jackson

I recently had the chance to attend the 17th Minipig Research Forum (MRF) in Amsterdam—and what an experience! This was my first time attending the forum, and visiting the Netherlands! It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow experts in the nonclinical research space about topics specific to miniature swine. The conversations were insightful, and it was great to be surrounded by people who are just as passionate about this niche area as I am.

What makes the MRF stand out is its focus on collaboration between industry and academic professionals, all exploring the latest developments and ongoing challenges in miniature swine research, something I found especially compelling.

Why Miniature Swine Are Gaining Ground in Nonclinical Research

The increased interest in using miniature swine as a non-rodent model for nonclinical studies remained a hot topic at this year’s MRF, alongside the latest developments in routine procedures for general toxicology studies.

Attendees discussed and collaborated on topics including species selection and justification, practical challenges of using miniature swine in nonclinical research, advancements and refinements in nonclinical research procedures using miniature swine, and emerging miniature swine models in metabolism research.
 
Both poster sessions and group discussions served as great platforms for industry and academic experts to present updates and new approaches to established procedures, as well as novel ideas for assistance to support appropriate species selection and conduct of nonclinical research. I was also fortunate enough to attend the “breakout” session on challenges associated with intracerebral dosing, drawing specifically on anatomical considerations.

The forum also emphasized broader opportunities for collaboration between industry and academia to foster an environment of continued data and information sharing across companies, academic entities, and the public.

In the focused “breakout” session I attended, we discussed the complexity of miniature swine anatomy associated with the intracerebral dose route based on studies conducted, drawing on studies that used MRI and other techniques to map the growth of the frontal sinus as the animal ages. 

Practical Challenges, Solutions, and Advances in the Use of Miniature Swine for Nonclinical Research

Poster sessions included presentations on the appropriate age of animals at dose initiation, tips and best practices for better animal socialization, updates on sample collection techniques, and a range of emerging miniature swine models.

Our poster, “Background Data in the Sinclair Nanopig™”, generated substantial interest and prompted thoughtful conversations among attendees. It presented historical background data across various toxicology endpoints for the Sinclair Nanopig™ model, emphasizing the comparability of the data obtained to other miniature swine strains, and the model’s suitability as a non-rodent option.

Given the significant justification required for using NHPs, the growing scrutiny around canines as a non-rodent model in nonclinical studies, and common challenges of test article availability, this particular model generates considerable attention from our clients. Although still preliminary in sample size, the availability of historical control data for the Sinclair Nanopig™ offers a valuable opportunity for clients seeking to compare this strain to other minipigs when selecting an appropriate non-rodent model.
 

 

 

 

 

My Final Thoughts

The conference wrapped-up with an introduction to new MRF developments, followed by a thought-provoking closing session which sparked new topics for the forum as well as many ideas for further discussion. It was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the use of the Sinclair Nanopig™, build new connections, and exchange ideas and developments in nonclinical research with industry professionals. I am looking forward to the continued collaborations and discussions!

Please feel free to reach out to me or one of my colleagues at any time, we would be happy to answer any of your questions! 

About the Author

Shanté Jackson has been with Altasciences since 2021 and is based out of our preclinical site in Columbia, MO. As a scientist and study director, she is responsible for study conduct from start to finish and works closely with all technical teams involved and clients on nonclinical projects. Prior to joining Altasciences, Shanté was a Drug Metabolism, Drug Inhibition, and Drug Transport Study Director in contract in vitro research. 

Connect with Shanté on LinkedIn!
 

_{This article was first published in May 2025, and updated in June 2025.}