As NAMs are poised to revolutionize drug development, the word “NAM” is gaining traction across scientific and regulatory circles. Yet, despite its widespread use, it may be the most inconsistently defined acronym in any field. Depending on the source, it may stand for:
- New Approach Methodologies (Most common) (FDA, EMA)
- Non-Animal Models (Phased out by regulators) (still widely used)
- Novel Approach Methodologies (FDA)
- New Alternative Methods (FDA)
- Non-Clinical Assessment Model (FDA)
- New Approach Methods (FDA)
- Multiple permutations of the above have been identified.
All linked sites accessed October 2025.
Various terms appear across official websites, policy frameworks, and peer-reviewed publications. This overlap is the result of the field’s accelerating development, but still causes widespread confusion for developers, regulators, ethicists, and the public at large.
Evolving Language, Shared Purpose
Historically, NAM stood for “Non-Animal Model”. However, due to the implication that these technologies may fully replace animals, this term is being aggressively and intentionally phased out by regulators.
Regulators are now converging on the standard definition: New Approach Methodologies.
This has two advantages:
First, it does not distinctly imply an imminent or complete elimination of animal testing. Second, it broadens the definition of NAM to capture newer technologies that could improve drug safety but may not be a one-to-one replacement for animals (e.g. proteome arrays replacing tissue cross reactivity).
The focus should not be on what “NAMs” stands for, but rather on what NAMs enable: better, safer, cheaper, and more ethical drugs.
What NAMs Truly Mean
Regardless of the exact wording, NAMs all aim to achieve the same outcome. Safer, faster, and more reliable research.
They improve scientific precision, reduce cost and time to market, help transition the field toward more human-relevant models, and provide a clear path for reducing, refining, and replacing animal models in drug development.
No matter what you call them, the importance of NAMs and the impact they will have on the future of drug development remains unchanged.
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3 Responses
[…] medicines, chemicals, and medical devices. Originally referring to “non-animal methods”, the term “NAMs” has expanded to reflect a broader range of novel technologies. NAMs now encompass any innovative, non-animal approach that improves our ability to predict human […]
[…] medicines, chemicals, and medical devices. Originally referring to “non-animal methods”, the term “NAMs” has expanded to reflect a broader range of novel technologies. NAMs now encompass any innovative, non-animal approach that improves our ability to predict human […]
[…] are not a new concept. Although the definition of “NAMs” has changed significantly over the years, the idea of new methodologies as alternatives to animal methods has been discussed for decades. […]