January 13, 2026
Gradient announces the exciting news that Lindsey Borton and Kelly Coleman are finalists for the 2026 Lush Prize for their work using a science-based approach to show shortcomings of the rabbit pyrogen test (RPT) for the detection of material-mediated pyrogens (MMPs), and for support of alternatives to animal-based testing.
Read the article: Borton, L; Coleman, K. 2025. “Material-mediated pyrogens in medical devices: Myth or reality?” ALTEX – Altern. Anim. Ex. doi: 10.14573/altex.2504231.
In this article, Gradient Principal Toxicologist Lindsey Borton and Medtronic Sr. Distinguished Toxicologist Kelly Coleman used an evidence-based toxicology approach to determine whether MMPs exist in a medical device context, and whether the RPT could detect the presence of MMPs in or on a medical device. The implications have potential to reduce animal-based testing requirements. See more
The Lush Prize supports initiatives to end or replace animal use in research, testing, and education.
Congratulations to Lindsey Borton and Kelly Coleman and to all of the finalists on the 2026 Lush Prize shortlist!