November 2000 News

ARDF Honors Pioneer in Manufacture and Marketing of In Vitro Systems

November 21, 2000

The Alternatives Research & Development Foundation (ARDF) has awarded its third annual William A. Cave Award to John Sheasgreen, President of MatTek Corporation. The $5,000 award recognizes accomplishments in advancing the development and adoption of replacement alternatives to the use of animals in research and testing.

ARDF chose Sheasgreen for his achievements in innovative marketing of his company's line of in vitro testing systems. MatTek developed EpiDerm™, EpiOcular™, MelanoDerm™ and other in vitro systems to help avoid the particularly painful corrosivity eye and skin tests often used to assess the efficacy and safety of consumer products.

Sheasgreen first joined MatTek in 1990 as Manager of Sales and Marketing. He quickly concluded that, due to pressure from animal advocates, such corporate giants as Avon, Colgate-Palmolive and Procter & Gamble were supporting the development of non-animal tests, but the scientists at the bench level were unsure exactly how to apply specific substitute tests.

"John Sheasgreen's contribution to the advancement of alternatives was that he knew how to generate enthusiasm among bench scientists," said ARDF director John McArdle. "He removed the cost barrier and disseminated the products widely among people who would use them in innovative ways. Then, they spread the word of the advantages of in vitro testing systems among their own colleagues and corporate officers."