FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, May 4, 2023
Contact: Eva Maciejewski
(202) 967-8305
NAS Report Affirms Necessity of NHP Models and
Highlights Shortage Crisis
NABR Calls on Washington Leadership to Help Find Solutions
Washington, DC – Today the National Academies Committee on the State of the Science and Future Needs for Nonhuman Primate Model Systems released its consensus report Nonhuman Primate Models in Biomedical Research: State of the Science and Future Needs. National Association for Biomedical Research president Mathew R. Bailey, who testified before the committee, issued the following statement about the new report:
“NABR commends the committee for its diligence in producing a report that accurately reflects the current state of NHP research in the United States today. We are encouraged to see the report affirm the necessity of the NHP research model as well as the report’s conclusion that a national strategy is necessary to address the current shortage of nonhuman primates in research. The report acknowledges that nonhuman primates are currently irreplaceable in neuroscience, neurodegenerative disorders, infectious diseases, immunotherapy, reproduction, aging, chronic inflammatory disease and other areas of science. Since nonhuman primates and humans share between 93% and 98% of the same DNA, have similar brain anatomies, and share similar body systems, they are a key to biomedical research discoveries that yield new drugs, vaccines and biologics.”
NABR is calling on leadership in Washington to come to the table with the research sector to help iron out solutions to the NHP shortage crisis, which has worsened in the wake of the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision to deny import permits for long-tailed macaques and biological samples originating from Cambodia.
“Thousands of preclinical research projects may grind to a halt, and ultimately it is patients who will suffer the most. It takes approximately 10-15 years and $2.6 billion dollars to take a new medication from concept to market. That process is getting longer with no end in sight. Furthermore, the US may lose this research to other countries. Washington needs to act now,” Bailey said.
About the National Association for Biomedical Research
Founded in 1979, the National Association for Biomedical Research (NABR) is the only 501(c)(6) non-profit association dedicated to sound public policy for the humane use of animals in biomedical research, education, and testing. Members include more than 340 universities, medical and veterinary schools, teaching hospitals, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, patient groups, and academic and professional societies who rely on humane and responsible animal research to advance global human and animal health. Learn more about us at www.nabr.org.