Increasing the size of the specific pathogen free Indian rhesus macaques colony at the Southwest National Primate Research Center for AIDS, COVID-19 and other infectious diseases research

Abstract. Specific pathogen free (SPF) Indian origin Macaca mulatta (rhesus macaques) are the premier model for infectious disease research including HIV/AIDS, TB, influenza, Lyme disease, and now COVID-19. There has been an acute nationwide shortage of these animals over the past couple of decades, which has been well- documented. Multiple reasons related to the COVID-19 pandemic have made this situation more difficult. Imports of these animals from Asia have stopped, and biomedical corporates have used large number of these animals in the past year. A number of animals have also been used in COVID-19 research by investigators at virtually each of the seven National Primate Research Centers (NPRCs). Hence, there is an acute, urgent need to increase the availability of SPF Indian origin rhesus macaques. This application proposes to increase the production of these animals at the Southwest National Primate Research Center (SNPRC).