Modern scientific research in the biomedical field heavily depends on the availability of appropriate animal models, whose fundamental contribution consists in the possibility of defining the cellular and molecular basis of several human pathologies, at the same time providing preclinical models to test potential drugs or innovative therapies in the same area.

The use of invertebrates (such as the leech Hirudo verbana) as experimental models in biomedical research is rapidly increasing due to their clear advantages over traditional models based on vertebrates, such as the house mouse or rat. In particular, the low cost and easy management of the reproduction protocols make medicinal leeches a reliable and favorable models, allowing a reduction in the cost of breeding and the relative purchase price for the final user.

Furthermore, the use of experimental models based on invertebrates is in line with the most recent European legislation on the use of animal models in biomedical research, based on the principle of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement), introduced in order to minimize as much as possible the use of sentient animals in research protocols by substituting them with simpler animal models endowed with a less developed nervous system.