# The Southwest National Primate Research Center: Rhesus Macaque Expansion

> **NIH NIH P51** · TEXAS BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE · 2022 · $2,256,688

## Abstract

Abstract
The Southwest National Primate Research Center (SNPRC) houses a Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) rhesus
macaque colony of Indian origin (Ind RM), supported by the NIH SPF rhesus breeding program (U42OD010442).
This colony of approximately 800 animals supports AIDS-related research both at SNPRC and through sales to
AIDS investigators at other institutions. However, there is a major national shortage of research nonhuman
primates (NHPs), and particularly of SPF Ind RM. This has severely impacted our ability to support the national
research mission of HIV/AIDS as well as in the area of non-AIDS/other infectious diseases, AIDS co-infections,
malaria, TB, COVID-19, etc. The NIH has recognized this need for expansion of SPF rhesus production and
strongly recommends increasing Ind RM breeding capacity. The SNPRC is well positioned to expand its SPF
Ind RM production as a center located in a climate hospitable to largely outdoor housing at an institution with
capacity for expansion. Our host institution Texas Biomed has recently raised funds to build a large new NHP
facility which could house ~ 800 NHPs. Texas Biomed/SNPRC also been funded by the NIH/ORIP to expand
our production capacity by 40% over our existing capacity via a C06. Finally, through Texas Biomed support, we
have procured ~ 150 conventional founder/breeder Ind RM (conventional). As such the SNPRC Ind RM
population can increase to 1600-2000 in the next five years. However, we request specific support for this
expansion to happen, including more personnel and consumables support in the next three-to-four years while
our colony is growing, and additional caging. We will also have added behavioral, breeding colony and viral
testing requirements. As part of this multiyear administrative supplement to the SNPRC base grant
(P51OD011133-24, -25 and -26, PI, Schlesinger S, PD, Kaushal D), we propose to increase the size of the
SNPRC SPF Ind RM colony from 800 in 2021 to 1600-2000 by the year 2026. These funds will be used to
augment strong institutional support as part of the following specific aims.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10532615
- **Project number:** 3P51OD011133-24S2
- **Recipient organization:** TEXAS BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE
- **Principal Investigator:** Larry S. Schlesinger
- **Activity code:** P51 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $2,256,688
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 1999-06-06 → 2025-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10532615

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10532615, The Southwest National Primate Research Center: Rhesus Macaque Expansion (3P51OD011133-24S2). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10532615. Licensed CC0.

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