Animal models: value and translational potency

Modern biomedical research that aims to translate research findings into novel therapies to benefit patients relies to a large extent on animal models of human pathophysiology. However, success stories of translational research—that is, preclinical research that successfully predicts a positive outcome of a clinical trial—are scarce. Therefore we address here the current state of preclinical disease modeling as well as actions that have been taken to improve the translational value of animal models.