Biomedical research provides insights into the underlying biologic processes that define health and disease. The information generated by these scientific investigations is in turn used to develop interventions designed to prevent, diagnose, and treat human disease and to promote the well-being of humans and other living creatures. Undeniably, the advances made possible by biomedical research have saved countless human lives.

In a perfect world, biomedical research questions across varied research domains would be tested in humans; however, a number of ethical, logistical, and ancillary challenges often call for the use of alternative model systems that can best reproduce the human condition. A primary challenge, then, is to identify the model(s) or model system(s) best suited to answering the scientific question(s) at hand. In several areas of biomedical research, nonhuman primates (NHPs) are regarded as the best available model to reproduce the human condition.

For the past year, at the request of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and in response to a congressional mandate, our committee explored the current landscape of biomedical research using NHP models and their future roles in NIH-supported research, while also considering the research and development status of new approach methodologies, such as in vitro and in silico models, that may complement and/or reduce reliance on NHP models. Although at the outset the task appeared straightforward, the committee quickly learned that the landscape of NHP research is exceedingly complex, and that evaluation of the current and future status of this research can be challenging given the current limitations of the available data on NHP use in NIH-funded research. While the committee was not asked to make recommendations or to prioritize research domains that currently benefit from the use of NHP models and are likely to do so in the future, our hope is that the landscape analysis and conclusions presented in this report will inform decision makers as they consider strategies for supporting the mission of NIH going forward. To this end, the committee emphasizes the critical importance of investments in domestic NHP resources and tools and strategies that can enhance research using NHP models, as well as qualification and/or validation efforts needed to realize the future potential of new approach methodologies. Finally, we hope that this report will stimulate efforts to create more opportunities for researchers working with NHPs and those developing and using non-NHP models to collaborate around the common goals of advancing human health and reducing human suffering. The national dialogue on NHPs and alternative methodologies is far too often framed using an opportunity cost model that advances a false dichotomy and that may lose sight of the critical scientific and societal issues that drive decision making. In reality, future advances in human health will require approaches that leverage the complementarity of in vitro and in silico methodologies and NHPs and other animal models for the foreseeable future. Overcoming the silos created and reinforced by current funding mechanisms will be vital to advancing the nation’s biomedical research agenda.

The committee would like to thank NIH for sponsoring and supporting this important study, particularly Lyric Jorgenson and Jessica Creery, who served as our points of contact. We are deeply appreciative of their efforts to coordinate and gather responses to the committee’s requests for information on NIH programs and priorities. We are also grateful to the many experts who gave presentations and participated in discussions with the committee during its public meetings. The information they shared was invaluable as we undertook our landscape analysis. We also wish to acknowledge the thousands of members of the public who informed our efforts by taking the time to share their perspectives on NHP research with us. Those too informed the committee’s efforts and provided essential perspectives to the committee.

The committee’s work over the last year was supported by the dedicated project staff at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine—Autumn Downey, Olivia Yost, Kyle Cavagnini, Kelsey Babik, Lydia Teferra, Aparna Cheran, Bradford Chaney, Susana Rodriguez, and Corrine Lutz. We are deeply appreciative of their tireless and outstanding efforts to keep us on track and facilitate the study’s completion. The committee is also grateful for the science writing contributions of Lauren Tobias and for the editing of this report performed by Rona Briere and her talented team, particularly Allie Boman.

Finally, as committee chair, I would like to thank and acknowledge my fellow committee members who generously gave their time and shared their expertise and perspectives, all of which were essential to addressing our task. I have appreciated your passion and engagement and the opportunity to learn from you as we navigated the process of deliberating on the challenging issues inherent in this topic. I am confident that this report and its conclusions will guide strategic decision making for years to come, and I thank you for your outstanding contributions.

It is now time for the nation’s leaders to take the action necessary to ensure that the United States maintains its scientific leadership and that biomedical investigators nationwide have the tools necessary to advance vital NIH-supported biomedical research. Indeed, patients are waiting.

Kenneth S. Ramos, Chair

Committee on the State of the Science and Future Needs for Nonhuman Primate Model Systems