Non-human primates (NHPs) have played a critical role in research and nonclinical drug development for decades because of their genetic, anatomical, and physiological similarities to humans. The NHP research market was valued at $39.5 million in 2023 and is projected to reach $108.6 million by 2031.1 But, despite NHP’s utility, they are not flawless research models. Growing ethical concerns, rising costs, supply shortages, and biological differences are placing increased pressure on the industry to seek viable alternatives.
Key highlights
- Ethical and regulatory challenges are driving a shift away from traditional NHP research
- Supply shortages and high costs are slowing scientific progress
- Emerging technologies like NHP-derived iPSCs offer a scalable, ethical, and translational alternative
Ncardia is pioneering the first-ever NHP-derived cardiomyocytes, enabling more reproducible and cost-effective studies.
Are you ready to be part of a pioneering shift toward more ethical, sustainable research?
Table of Contents:
The 3 Main Problems With Using NHPs in Research
While NHPs have historically been valuable in research, their use comes with notable obstacles:
1. Ethical concerns
Because of their intelligence and social complexity, the use of NHPs in research raises significant ethical questions and public scrutiny. This negative perception has, in turn, increased the risk of liability and litigation for institutions involved in such research.
For example, in 2020, the Animal Legal Defense Fund and Rise for Animals filed a lawsuit against the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for inconsistent inspections of NHP research facilities.2 Similarly, a 2023 federal ruling found the USDA acted unlawfully in rejecting a petition to enhance primate welfare standards.3 These legal pressures have forced institutions to implement more stringent oversight when using NHPs, increasing operational and administrative costs.
Negative public perception also has substantial indirect effects, from disrupted research and relocation costs to potential funding withdrawals.
2. High costs and practical issues
To ensure the welfare of NHPs used in research, institutions must follow strict regulations. Though they vary by country, they generally include:
- Ethical review and justification — Researchers must provide strong scientific reasons for using NHPs, demonstrating that no alternative models can achieve the same objectives; this often involves a thorough ethical review process by institutional committees
- Housing and care standards — Facilities must meet specific requirements when housing, feeding, and generally caring for NHPs4
- Training — Personnel involved in caring for and using NHPs must be specially trained5
- Minimizing pain and distress — Research procedures must be designed to minimize the animal’s discomfort, pain, and stress6
- Oversight and compliance — Governmental or institutional bodies regularly inspect research facilities to ensure adherence to established guidelines and regulations7
While well-intentioned, these regulations make using NHPs expensive, time-consuming, and often impractical.
3. Supply shortages
Researchers are facing serious NHP supply shortages. In 2021, the National Primate Research Centers (NPRCs) reported an inability to fulfill two-thirds of researcher requests for monkeys.8 This scarcity slows down scientific progress and makes it difficult to replicate studies for validation.
4. Are there Alternatives?
While the industry recognizes the need for NHP alternatives, it will require a transition away from a historically tried-and-true research method.
Technology like computer modeling and organ-on-chip systems are promising, but they also have limitations. AI-driven simulations used in computer modeling struggle to fully replicate the complexity of biological systems, and creating accurate microenvironments in organ-on-chip systems for human organ function requires precise engineering and biochemical control.10,11
But there is another alternative: induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from NHPs.
Meet the Solution: NHP-Derived iPSCs
NHP-derived iPSCs would directly address the 3 main problems with NHP models:
- Ethical concerns — Using cells rather than live animals eliminates ethical dilemmas, boosts public perception, and lowers litigation risk
- High costs and practical issues — Lab-grown cells are more cost-effective and manageable than whole NHPs
- Supply shortages — iPSCs can be produced in large quantities
- Greater reproducibility — iPSC-derived cells provide batch-to-batch consistency for more reliable research outcomes
The Next Evolution of Ethical, Effective Research
Ncardia is developing the first-ever NHP-derived cardiomyocytes from Cynomolgus, Ncyte® NHP-C vCardiomyocytes.
Are you ready to be part of a pioneering shift toward more ethical, sustainable research?
References
- Verified Market Research. Non-Human Primates for Experiment Market Size And Forecast. https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/product/non-human-primates-for-experiment-market/. Accessed February 21, 2025.
- Animal Legal Defense Fund. Challenging the USDA for Public Records of Inspection Process at Nonhuman Primates Research Facilities. https://aldf.org/case/challenging-the-usda-for-public-records-of-inspection-process-at-nonhuman-primates-research-facilities/. Accessed February 21, 2025.
- Harvard Animal Law & Policy Program. Federal Judge Rules USDA Acted Unlawfully in Denying Petition to Improve the Psychological Well-Being of Primates Used in Research. https://animal.law.harvard.edu/news-article/usda-acted-unlawfully/. Accessed February 21, 2025.
- National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement & Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs). Non-human primate accommodation, care and use guidelines. https://nc3rs.org.uk/3rs-resource-library/non-human-primate-accommodation-care-and-use-guidelines. Accessed February 21, 2025.
- American Psychological Association. Guidelines for Ethical Conduct in the Care and Use of Nonhuman Animals in Research. https://www.apa.org/science/leadership/care/guidelines. Accessed February 21, 2025.
- American Society of Primatologists. Principles for the Ethical Treatment of Non-Human Primates. https://asp.org/2021/04/20/principles-for-the-ethical-treatment-of-non-human-primates/. Accessed February 21, 2025.
- National Primate Research Centers. Frequently Asked Questions about Nonhuman Primates in Research. https://www.nprcresearch.org/Research/Page/ViewPage?id=cce99fe2-233a-45c9-bfdf-00ce00c7f10d&utm. Accessed February 21, 2025.
- Associated Press. Research monkey shortage undermines US readiness, panel says. https://apnews.com/article/monkeys-research-nonhuman-primates-nih-ac89209d8f865f324322d642620adeb4. Accessed February 21, 2025.
- Frontiers in Immunology. A Comprehensive Atlas of Immunological Differences Between Humans, Mice, and Non-Human Primates.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2022.867015/full. Accessed March 3, 2025. - The Atlantic. A Virtual Cell Is a ‘Holy Grail’ of Science. It’s Getting Closer. https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2025/01/generative-ai-virtual-cell/681246/. Accessed February 21, 2025.
- SpringerLink. Advances and challenges in organ-on-chip technology: toward mimicking human physiology and disease in vitro.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11517-024-03062-7. Accessed February 21, 2025.