China needs monkeys: lab animal shortage could hinder biotech growth

China's biotechnology market is experiencing a significant increase in demand for primate experimental models, according to contract research firm Joinn Laboratories (China). This heightened demand is attributed to the recovery of fundraising and out-licensing deals for innovative drugs in the country this year. Primate experiments, which utilize monkeys and other non-human species, are crucial for testing drug safety and efficacy before human clinical trials. The surge in demand has resulted in a tightened supply of laboratory monkeys, potentially impacting the growth of China's biotech sector.