How we do business
Crucell is committed to adhering to high standards of ethics and transparency in dealing with our stakeholders. We regard this as a social responsibility and believe that it contributes to business success. In 2008 we made an important advance in this regard by defining a core set of values for the organization: Integrity, Respect, Complementarity, Reliability, Innovation, and Passion and Drive. These values represent the foundation on which all our activities and relationships are based, internally and externally. We are determined to ensure that these values are inherent to all our work and behavior.
People
The Crucell Values have been incorporated in the Code of Conduct, Crucell’s commitment to integrity. The Code of Conduct is easily accessible via our website: www.crucell.com. In 2009 the Code of Conduct will be brought to the attention of all employees by means of ‘town hall’ meetings in which Crucell senior managers – together with local management – will explain and emphasize the importance of the policy. The Code applies to all Crucell representatives and is expressed in a form that all employees should be able to understand. It outlines Crucell’s approach to good business conduct, focusing on the behavior of employees. Central to the code is the stipulation that Crucell’s representatives must not take unfair advantage of anyone by any means and must not accept favors of any form from others. The Code of Conduct includes a whistle-blower policy, encouraging the reporting of any behavior or action that may be in breach of this code.
Animal testing
Our approach to animal testing follows the three Rs: Reduce, Refine and - ultimately - Replace.
Before any candidate medical product can be given to humans, it must be rigorously tested in pre-clinical (non-human) models. At present, the stringent legal, ethical and scientific standards governing pharmaceutical research and development require pre-clinical tests in both cells (in vitro models) and animals (in vivo models). We are legally obliged to fulfil these requirements, and also feel a moral obligation to do our utmost to ensure the safety of people who receive our (candidate) products.
For these reasons, Crucell does perform animal testing to the minimum extent necessary. Safety studies in animals, which are required by law, are conducted in accordance with the highest international standards, which are designed to prevent or minimize any suffering of the animals tested.
Simultaneously, Crucell continuously applies the 3R principles – Reduce, Refine and (ultimately) Replace – to pre-clinical studies involving animals. Crucell has been working over many years to replace in vivo tests with in vitro assays, and these efforts have already resulted in the significant reduction of animal testing.
Crucell will continue to apply the 3R principles and work closely with the regulatory authorities to further minimize the experimental use of animals in the course of bringing new vaccines and antibodies to the people who need them.
