Cruelty-free pregnancy test

: News; Published: 22 September 2025

Startup from Hanover produces vegan tests with algae

Few people know that conventional pregnancy tests involve significant animal suffering. In addition to ingredients of animal origin, they contain antibodies that are obtained through animal testing. A spin-off from Leibniz University Hanover aims to change this with an innovative product: the startup Phaeosynt has launched hey mela, the first completely vegan and cruelty-free pregnancy test.

What do pregnancy tests have to do with animal testing?

As part of the TV show “Die Höhle der Löwen” (The Lion’s Den), the Phaeosynt team educated the public about the fact that pregnancy tests, which detect the pregnancy hormone (human chorionic gonadotropin, hCG), contain antibodies (1). These antibodies are molecules of the immune system used as detection tools in diagnostics. Particularly common are so-called monoclonal antibodies, which are highly specific and therefore very reliable.

However, the production of these antibodies has so far been closely linked to animal testing (2). Mice are immunized, killed, and their spleen cells are used to produce antibodies. Cell culture media typically include foetal calf serum. To obtain this serum, pregnant cows are slaughtered and the foetuses are removed. For the calves that are still alive, a needle is inserted directly into the heart, and all blood is extracted (3).

Rabbits also suffer extensively during antibody production (4). They receive repeated injections over several weeks of the substance against which antibodies are to be developed. At the end of the process, the rabbits are anesthetized and bled out via a needle inserted into the heart. Antibodies are then harvested from the blood. In 2023, 32,970 rabbits in Germany were used in this way for antibody production (5).

Innovation from algae instead of animals

The research team from Hanover refused to accept these practices any longer. Instead of using animal testing, Phaeosynt produces antibodies with the help of diatoms—completely without fetal calf serum or other animal products. We reported on this already in early 2024 (6).

The result is now a pregnancy test that is not only cruelty-free and vegan but also at least as reliable as conventional products. With hey mela, a test is available that offers consumers an ethically sound choice. The test can now be ordered directly from the company’s website (7).

Looking ahead

Moreover, the startup does not want to stop at pregnancy tests. Phaeosynt is developing additional vegan antibodies and is making its technology available through collaborations and research projects (8). This opens up the possibility of making other diagnostic procedures completely cruelty-free as well.

Further information

Antibodies: The future is cruelty-free >>