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11am EDT (NA) / 4pm BST (UK) / 5pm CEST (EU-Central)
The event will be held in English.
Participation is free of charge but registration is mandatory.
This webinar is part of a four-part series jointly organized by EARA (European Animal Research Association) and Bioculture.
This webinar addresses the role of nonhuman primates (NHPs) in preclinical and biomedical research, with a focus on scientific questions regarding their irreplaceability, the evolving regulatory framework, and the increasing integration of “New Approach” (NAM) methods. While certain areas of research continue to rely on NHPs, others are increasingly being supplemented or replaced by advanced in vitro, in silico, and human-relevant models. Critical issues regarding responsibility, transparency, and the practical application of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement) must be taken into account.
Whether you work directly with primates or not, the concrete research examples and regulatory perspectives shared will provide valuable context for understanding how the field is navigating the balance between scientific progress and ethical accountability. Hosted in collaboration with a specialized macaque facility in Mauritius, the series also offers a distinct industry-aligned viewpoint on the realities of NHP supply, welfare, and cross-border research partnerships.
From the Organizers
"This webinar is part of a four-part series from Bioculture and EARA examining the science, regulation, and responsibility behind the use of non-human primates (NHPs) in biomedical research. The series explores where NHPs remain essential, where new approach methodologies (NAMs) are replacing or complementing animal research, and what a rigorous, transparent path forward looks like for the field, supporting scientific progress and the principles of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement).
Non-human primates remain one of the few translational models capable of bridging the gap between early discovery science and first-in-human trials. Their close physiological and genetic similarity to humans allows researchers to obtain safety and efficacy information that cannot yet be obtained using other available models alone — such as in vitro, in silico, or rodent. This opening session examines how NHP models function as a translational bridge from bench to bedside, why they continue to occupy a distinct place in drug development, and how their use is continually reassessed as alternative methods to NHP models advance.The session traces the evolution of NHP use in translational science, from early toxicology studies to today’s more targeted, disease-specific applications across oncology, neuroscience, infectious disease, and metabolic research. Panelists will examine the role NHPs can play in preclinical research, including safety and efficacy assessments, comparing their strengths and limitations with emerging alternatives such as organ-on-chip systems and computational or AI-driven models, with concrete examples of where each approach adds genuine value and where meaningful gaps still remain. The discussion will also explore how researchers evaluate opportunities to replace, reduce and refine animal use, and how scientific, ethical and regulatory considerations inform study design. A dedicated case study will walk through the findings of a real pre-clinical program that relied on NHP models, illustrating how the data generated informed downstream clinical decisions and ultimately shaped the trajectory of a therapeutic programme.
Aimed at a life sciences audience but framed to remain accessible to non-specialists, the discussion will address the scientific, ethical, and regulatory considerations that shape how and when NHP models are used, and where the field is heading as new approach methodologies (NAMs) continue to mature and regulatory expectations evolve. The panel will also explore how researchers and sponsors weigh model selection decisions in practice, balancing scientific rigour, animal welfare, regulatory expectations, timelines, and cost.
Attendees will leave with a clearer, evidence-based picture of where NHPs continue to play a role within modern biomedical research, how that role is evolving alongside advances in NAMs and other emerging technologies, and how responsible, transparent, science-led decision-making supports scientific progress and public trust. The session will provide pratical insight relevant to R&D strategy and investment decisions in a field facing growing public and regulatory scrutiny."
For more information and registration, please visit the event page here: XTALK Webinar Series