Laboratory Animal Science Association

What Laboratory Animal Science Association does

The Laboratory Animal Science Association (LASA) is a UK professional society and registered charity (No. 1164804, Company No. 8707797) founded in 1963 by a consortium of industrial, university, ministry and research council representatives. It serves scientists, animal technicians, Establishment Licence Holders, named persons under ASPA, and postgraduate students working in laboratory animal research across academia, pharma, biotech, government agencies, CROs and breeders. LASA's mission is to advance the care, welfare and ethical use of laboratory animals and to promote the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement).

LASA's product surface is a membership-based association platform rather than a technology product. Core offerings include individual and organizational membership (minimum five members per organization), the mySociety member portal at my.lasa.co.uk, the peer-reviewed Laboratory Animals journal (£40 optional add-on), the LASA CPD scheme, member bursaries, and a resource library of freely available 'Guiding Principles' and position papers across seven specialized sections. The Annual Conference (61st held in 2024 in the West Midlands, 63rd planned for November 2026 in Scotland) anchors a calendar that also includes the Establishment Licence Holders' Autumn Forum, Colony Management Webinar Series, and section meetings. Core technology is non-proprietary: web portal infrastructure delivered through the Royal Society of Biology under contract, Stripe for payments, and Google Analytics for traffic measurement.

LASA's business model is subscription- and event-driven. Revenue is generated through annual membership subscriptions, event registration fees (2026 Annual Conference full rate: £590 member / £730 non-member; PELH Autumn Forum £175 + VAT member / £220 + VAT non-member), and publication/journal sales. Go-to-market is hybrid: a self-serve website and portal handle acquisition, while partnerships with the Royal Society of Biology (operational backbone), ASRU (regulatory liaison via the HOLTIF group), RSPCA, NC3Rs, FELASA and EARA (the #BOARD24 campaign reaching 220 partner institutions across 48 countries) extend reach and credibility. Membership pricing itself is not publicly disclosed and requires contacting the Secretariat, which is consistent with a small-staff, B2B-leaning association model.

Name

Laboratory Animal Science Association

Legal name

Laboratory Animal Science Association

Website

https://lasa.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

LASA is a UK professional association and registered charity, founded in 1963, serving scientists, animal technicians, Establishment Licence Holders and named persons involved in laboratory animal research through membership, the Annual Conference, CPD forums, the Laboratory Animals journal, and guidance on the 3Rs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Standards, Metrology & Accreditation Bodies (BPAIAOAC)

Keywords

• Laboratory animal science
• Professional association services
• Animal research training
• 3Rs education resources
• Research ethics guidance

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership subscriptions with Individual and Organizational membership options. Organizational Membership requires a minimum of five people and offers discounted rates. Both schemes include optional Laboratory Animals journal subscription at £40 per subscription.
2. Event Registration Fees: Revenue from annual conferences, workshops, and specialized forums including the Establishment Licence Holders' Autumn Forum. Conference rates include full conference, day rates, and half-day rates with member and non-member pricing tiers.
3. Publications and Journal Subscriptions: Workshop proceedings and LASA publications available free or at discounted rates for members. Optional Laboratory Animals journal subscription at £40 per subscription.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Laboratory Animal Science Association (LASA) is a UK professional association providing membership-based services for laboratory animal science professionals. Its core offerings include individual and organizational memberships, an annual conference, specialized forums and webinars (e.g., Establishment Licence Holders' Autumn Forum, Colony Management Webinar Series), optional Laboratory Animals journal subscriptions, Guiding Principles publications, position papers, bursaries, and a CPD scheme.

Product overview

The Laboratory Animal Science Association (LASA) is a UK-based professional association and registered charity founded in 1963, offering membership-based services rather than a technology product platform. The core offerings include individual and organizational membership with access to events (Annual Conference, Establishment Licence Holders' Autumn Forum, Colony Management Webinar Series), the official Laboratory Animals journal, the mySociety member portal for services and event registration, bursaries for members, and the LASA CPD Scheme. Resources include guiding principles, position papers, and training materials across seven specialized sections covering 3Rs innovation, care and welfare, large animal research, genetically altered animals, establishment licensing, Home Office liaison, and education/training/ethics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• LASA Membership Individual and organizational annual membership providing discounted event entry, career support, CPD schemes, policy updates, newsletter access, and optional Laboratory Animals journal subscription at £40. Organizational membership requires a minimum of five people.
• LASA Annual Conference Annual gathering of laboratory animal science professionals from academia, pharma, biotech, and government agencies. The 2026 conference offers full conference (£590 member/£730 non-member), day rates, and half-day rates, including all sessions, networking events, and meeting dinner. Organizational by the Royal Society of Biology.
• Establishment Licence Holders' Autumn Forum CPD workshop for Establishment Licence Holders (PELHs) focusing on compliance, strategic leadership, and challenges facing animal research establishments under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. Priced at £175 (LASA member) / £220 (non-member), plus VAT.
• Colony Management Webinar Series Three-day interactive webinar series covering colony management topics, designed for both newcomers and experienced professionals in laboratory animal care.
• Laboratory Animals Journal Subscription Official peer-reviewed journal of LASA providing research coverage relevant to laboratory animal science. Available as optional add-on to membership at £40 per subscription.
• LASA Guiding Principles and Position Papers Collection of guiding principles, position papers, and reference materials covering AWERB practices, named persons under ASPA, behavioral laboratory animal science, ethics training, and openness in animal research. Free to download from the website.
• mySociety Member Portal Online member portal providing registered users and members access to event registration, publication downloads, membership management, and member services. Integrated with Stripe for payments and Google Analytics for site measurement.
• LASA CPD Scheme Continuing Professional Development scheme available free to LASA members, supporting ongoing education and training requirements for laboratory animal professionals.
• LASA Bursaries Financial support available to persons engaged in laboratory animal science who are current LASA members, with priority given to animal technicians and postgraduate students.
• LASA Sections and Special Interest Groups Specialized interest groups including Innovations in 3Rs and Animal Science, Care/Welfare/Husbandry/Facility Management, Large Animal Research Network (LARN), Genetically Altered Animals, Establishment Licence Holders Committee, HOLTIF, and Education/Training/Ethics Section (ETES).

Quantifiable outcome

• Record 220 partner institutions from 48 countries participated in #BOARD24 campaign
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• European Animal Research Association (EARA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 May 2024LASA participated in EARA's Be Open About Animal Research Day (#BOARD24), a 24-hour social media campaign celebrating examples of openness in animal research with the public. The fourth edition had a record 220 partner institutions from 48 countries.
• Royal Society of BiologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Royal Society of Biology is contracted to provide membership and related services to LASA members. RSB is a registered charity (No. 277981) incorporated by Royal Charter and registered with the Information Commissioner's Office. RSB also organizes LASA's Annual Conference and handles event registrations, bookings, and inquiries.
• RSPCAmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLASA collaborates with RSPCA on AWERB guidance including 'Developing inductions for AWERBs run fully or partly online' and updated RSPCA/LASA Guidance on AWERB Induction. Joint work on ethics learning outcomes for personal licensees under Module 2.
• NC3RsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLASA website references NC3Rs Events Calendar and blood sampling resources as part of its external links and resources section, indicating collaborative relationship in advancing the 3Rs.
• Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations (FELASA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFELASA is composed of 21 member associations representing 27 countries. LASA hosts FELASA-accredited events including Severity Workshops. FELASA establishes triennial conferences and working groups for recommendations on LAS, welfare, and education.
• Institute of Animal Technology (IAT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner organization with shared interests in animal technology. LASA collaborates with IAT on workshop planning including sessions on adverse effects, humane endpoints, and animal welfare in PPL applications.
• Laboratory Animals Ltd (LAL)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner organization in LASA's external links section, representing shared interests in laboratory animals.
• UFAWminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLASA co-organized a 3Rs Section Meeting with UFAW (Universities Federation for Animal Welfare). Listed as partner organization with shared interests in animal welfare.
• LAVAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLASA collaborates with LAVA (Laboratory Animal Veterinary Association) on topics such as anaesthesia updates. Listed as partner organization.
• International Council for Laboratory Animal Science (ICLAS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as partner organization for international coordination in laboratory animal science.
• Irish Laboratory Animal Science Association (ILASA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as partner organization representing Irish laboratory animal science professionals.
• Laboratory Animal Breeders Association (LABA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as partner organization representing UK laboratory animal breeders.
• Fondazione Guido Bernardini (FGB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as partner organization representing international laboratory animal science foundation.
• ABPIminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociation of the British Pharmaceutical Industry. LASA PELH Forum works with ABPI to shape supportive government policy as part of collective influence and lobbying efforts.
• EFPIAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEuropean Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations. LASA PELH Forum partners with EFPIA to shape supportive government policy as part of collective influence and lobbying efforts.
• Animals in Science Regulation Unit (ASRU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASRU is the regulatory body under the Home Office. LASA's HOLTIF group maintains regular communication with ASRU through small stakeholder group meetings to provide feedback on the ASRU Change programme and other relevant matters. The ELH Committee acts as a conduit between ASRU and the ELH community.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• AAALAC International: Global accreditation body for animal research programs, operating across 50+ countries. Direct peer in mission — both organizations establish standards and accredit/influence laboratory animal care quality worldwide.
• FELASA (Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations): Pan-European federation of 21 lab animal science associations across 27 countries. Direct peer — LASA is a member of FELASA, hosts FELASA-accredited Severity Workshops, and FELASA provides the supranational counterpart to LASA's UK convening role.
• Institute of Animal Technology (IAT): UK-based professional body for animal technicians with overlapping membership and joint workshop planning with LASA (adverse effects, humane endpoints, PPL applications). Direct peer in scale and mission within the UK lab animal science ecosystem.
• LAVA (Laboratory Animal Veterinary Association): UK partner association for laboratory animal veterinarians, collaborating with LASA on anaesthesia updates and CPD. Direct peer in scope and UK lab animal science community, similar size and structure.
• ICLAS (International Council for Laboratory Animal Science): International coordinating body for laboratory animal science, listed as a LASA partner organization. Direct peer in mission of harmonizing standards and promoting ethical animal research globally.
• AALAS (American Association for Laboratory Animal Science): Largest lab animal science association globally, US-based. Direct peer in mission (advancing laboratory animal science through education, certification, and publications) — a much larger-scale analog of LASA's UK convening model.

Others

• RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals): UK animal welfare charity collaborating with LASA on AWERB guidance and ethics learning outcomes. Adjacent organization — LASA partner but RSPCA operates as a much larger animal welfare charity rather than a lab animal science professional association.
• NC3Rs (National Centre for the 3Rs): UK government-backed organization focused on Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement of animal research. Listed LASA partner; adjacent/mission-aligned but operating as a government-funded body rather than membership association.
• UFAW (Universities Federation for Animal Welfare): UK-based scientific and educational animal welfare charity. LASA co-organized a 3Rs Section Meeting with UFAW; adjacent organization with overlapping 3Rs mission but broader animal welfare (not laboratory-only) focus.

Broad incumbents

• NABR (National Association for Biomedical Research): US advocacy organization for biomedical research using animals. Broad incumbent in the same advocacy space as LASA but with a US federal policy focus rather than UK scientific convening.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/lasa_uk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/laboratory-animal-science-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Laboratory Animal Science Association