In 1987 Foundation Research 3R was established in Switzerland to promote research on alternative methods in animal experimentation, ie reduction, refinement and replacement. The Foundation, which is funded in equal parts by contribution from Interpharma Switzerland and the Swiss Federal Veterinary Office, has, over the years, initiated some 42 research projects - of which 35 have been completed to date. In 1994 it started publishing a quarterly newsletter 3R-Info-Bulletin. The first issue (June 1994) covered the history and organization of the Foundation; the second (September 1994) describes a validation study for in vitro production of monoclonal antibodies; and the third (December 1994) covers the scientific activities on behalf of Foundation Research 3R by the late Professor G Zbinden of Zurich.