Non-Human Primate Breeding > Facility

Progenix Research has built a purpose designed non-human primate breeding facility. This facility will supply primates for use by the research centre and thereby obviate problems associated with supply and transport of these animals. [For testing of pharmaceuticals the non-rodent species must be selected on the basis of the "similarity to humans with regard to pharmacokinetic profile including biotransformation. Exposure to the main human metabolite(s) should be assured. Whenever possible, the selected species should be responsive to the primary pharmacodynamic effect of the substance." (European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products 1999). For some pharmaceutical agents, the dog is not suitable as a second species and the most appropriate species to meet these considerations is a non-human primate. Studies in primates are therefore essential for the safety testing of certain pharmaceuticals.]

Primate toxicology is controversial, not least because of the animal welfare implications of maintaining such animals in a research environment. By breeding its own animals in a world-leading and environmentally enriched facility Progenix Research is able to avoid many of these welfare problems. Examples of the benefits to animal welfare are:

• Animals will not be transported over long distances between breeding and test facilities.
• Animals are socialised into groups at the breeding facility before study commencement and are housed in the same group whilst on test.
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