Every Type of Study Conducted on Beagles
From single-dose acute toxicology to year-long chronic studies, from surgically implanted heart monitors to gene therapy vectors. Each card below describes a category of study, its regulatory mandate, the number of dogs used, and its cost.
Repeated-dose toxicology studies are the foundation of the regulatory package for every new pharmaceutical compound. They exist on a continuum of duration and rigor, each step building on the last.
A single dose followed by 14 days of observation. Uses 8-16 dogs. Cost: $30K-$80K. Establishes the maximum tolerated dose and immediate toxicity profile.
Non-GLP pilot study to identify dose levels for the pivotal study. Cost: $50K-$150K. Dogs are dosed at escalating levels until overt toxicity appears. These dogs are killed and necropsied to identify target organs before the main study begins.
The first GLP-compliant study. 32-40 dogs across control + 3 dose levels (4/sex/group), plus recovery animals. Cost: $150K-$350K. Required to support Phase I clinical trials.
The core non-rodent toxicology package. 32-40 dogs: 4 dogs/sex/group across control + 3 dose levels, plus a recovery satellite group. Cost: $300K-$600K. Required to support Phase II/III clinical trials. This is the study described in the Day in the Life page.
Required under ICH S4/M3(R2) for compounds intended for chronic human use. 40-64 dogs. Cost: $600K-$2M. Dogs are dosed daily for up to a full year. The longest and most expensive non-rodent study in the regulatory toolkit.