Texas Biomedical Research Institute (Texas Biomed) has uncovered new insights into the lifespan of nonhuman primates in captivity. Dr. Hillary F. Huber and her team, including collaborators from Wake Forest University, have compiled the largest database to date on primate lifespans, challenging long-held assumptions and providing crucial information for future research. 

The study, which included data from 12 primate species across 15 institutes, including all seven National Primate Research Centers, revealed that the median lifespan for many primates used in biomedical research is lower than previously reported. For example, baboons, often thought to live up to 37.5 years, were found to have a maximum observed lifespan of 30 years in research settings, with a median age at death of just 11.5 years. 

This discrepancy highlights the importance of using median age rather than maximum lifespan when considering animal models for human aging research. As Dr. Huber points out, “Having a more accurate understanding of how long nonhuman primates live in captivity is essential for researchers to correctly correlate health and disease observations in primates to humans.” 

The study’s strict methodology—limited to animals with known birth dates and death dates who died naturally or were humanely euthanized after developing a serious disease such as cancer—ensures robust data. This approach provides a more accurate picture of primate health span – the length of healthy life free from major diseases – which aligns closely with current geroscience research focusing on improving quality of life throughout the human lifespan. 

The Southwest National Primate Research Center at Texas Biomed played a critical role in this study, contributing valuable data and expertise. This collaborative effort underscores the commitment of National Primate Research Centers to improve animal care, medical treatments and research methods – all supporting the broader goal of advancing animal and human health. 

How NPRC Research Accelerated HIV Advances From 2020–2025

From breakthroughs in prevention to promising treatments, the National Primate Research Centers (NPRCs) have played a crucial role in advancing HIV research. Working with nonhuman primates, the closest biomedical model to humans, NPRC researchers have tackled some of HIV’s biggest challenges: viral persistence, brain invasion, co-infections and the limits of current therapies. Together, these discoveries mark some of the most significant progress toward long-term remission and potential cures in decades.

Strengthening Vaccines and Early Prevention

NPRC advances include efforts to block infection before it starts. Researchers at the Emory National Primate Research Center (ENPRC) at Emory University showed that an Env-plus-Gag HIV vaccine regimen in rhesus macaques provided durable protection from SHIV, the simian version of HIV, even when neutralizing antibody levels were low. This finding expanded thinking around the types of immune responses a successful vaccine must generate.

At the same time, Oregon NPRC scientists found that leronlimab, a monoclonal antibody that blocks the CCR5 co-receptor, effectively prevented SHIV infection in nonhuman primate models. Already tested in human studies for viral suppression, the antibody also showed promise as a PrEP-style preventive option.

Targeting HIV’s Hidden Reservoirs

Because HIV hides in tissues the immune system can’t easily reach, several NPRC studies focused on uncovering and disrupting these viral reservoirs. ENPRC scientists discovered that the anti-inflammatory molecule IL-10 helps HIV-infected cells survive in lymph nodes. Blocking IL-10, alongside antiretroviral therapy (ART), reduced the number of infected reservoir cells, marking an important step toward weakening HIV’s stronghold.

Researchers at Emory NPRC also identified specialized follicle-infiltrating NK cells capable of entering B-cell follicles in lymph nodes, one of HIV’s most protected hiding places. These findings point toward future therapies that could guide immune cells directly into viral reservoir sites.

Additional “shock and kill” studies at Wisconsin NPRC showed that both latency-reversing drugs and checkpoint inhibitor combinations can reactivate dormant virus while nonhuman primates are on ART, laying groundwork for strategies that flush HIV out of hiding.

Immune-Based Therapies Move Toward Functional Cure

By 2024, several NPRC collaborations delivered results that brought the field closer to long-term remission without lifelong treatment. A landmark study testing N-803 (IL-15 superagonist) plus broadly neutralizing antibodies achieved long-lasting viral control in most SHIV-infected macaques even after ART was stopped. The findings have now progressed to early-phase human clinical trials.

Emory NPRC researchers also identified a particularly potent subset of CD8⁺ T cells (TCF1⁺CD39⁺) that excel at controlling SIV and resisting exhaustion. The importance of these cells has been confirmed also in people with HIV and may become powerful tools in future immunotherapies.

Understanding HIV in the Brain

Another major advancement came from California NPRC, where researchers discovered how HIV enters and persists in the brain. Their work showed that CD4 T cells can inadvertently carry virus into neural tissue, helping explain why HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders persist even when ART is effective.

Addressing Co-Infections and Real-World Treatment Needs

HIV rarely exists in isolation. In 2025, Texas Biomed and the Southwest NPRC demonstrated that a promising tuberculosis therapy did not interfere with combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) used to treat HIV, supporting its safe use in people co-infected with HIV and TB. Because the drug is already FDA-approved for use in cancer patients, it could accelerate potential approval for TB/HIV treatment compared to developing an entirely new drug.

A Path Toward Remission

Building on these advances, Emory NPRC researchers reported one of the strongest signals yet that a functional cure for HIV may be achievable. In a stringent SIV model, a targeted combination therapy, blocking two negative regulators of the immune system, IL-10 and PD-1, enabled durable control of viral rebound in 9 of 10 nonhuman primates for six months after ART ended, an unprecedented result that strengthens the path toward future human trials. This is a direct proof of concept that the immune system can be harnessed with immune-based interventions to control HIV.

The Bottom Line

Between 2020 and 2025, NPRC research meaningfully advanced the HIV landscape. Through innovative vaccine approaches, better understanding of persistence, targeted immune strategies and real-world treatment insights, the NPRCs have laid essential groundwork for an era in which long-term HIV remission, and ultimately a cure, becomes an attainable goal.

Researchers at Texas Biomedical Research Institute (Texas Biomed) have made significant progress in the fight against tuberculosis (TB) and HIV co-infection. The team, led by Professor Smriti Mehra, Ph.D., has demonstrated that a promising TB therapy does not interfere with combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) used to treat HIV. 

A Critical Breakthrough 

Tuberculosis remains a global health concern, causing over 1.3 million deaths annually. For individuals with HIV, TB poses an even greater threat due to their compromised immune systems. The new therapy targets an immune system protein called IDO (Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase), which normally suppresses immune responses. 

How It Works 

By inhibiting IDO, the therapy aims to enhance the body’s ability to fight TB. This approach has already shown success in cancer treatments and has demonstrated improved control of TB when used alongside antibiotics. 

Safe for HIV Patients 

The study, conducted with nonhuman primates at the Southwest National Primate Research Center with both TB and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), revealed that the IDO inhibitor does not interfere with cART. This is crucial for developing a treatment that can help patients battling both HIV and TB. 

Next Steps 

Researchers plan to study how the inhibitor performs when used in conjunction with both antibiotics and cART together – the standard treatment regimen for patients with HIV and active TB. Long-term studies are also needed to confirm the absence of unintended side effects. 

Potential for Rapid Approval 

The IDO inhibitor is already FDA-approved for use in cancer patients, which could accelerate its potential approval for TB/HIV treatment compared to developing an entirely new drug. This research represents a significant step forward in addressing the challenges of TB and HIV co-infection, offering hope for more effective treatments in the future.

In medical research, discoveries come from persistence, creativity, and new angles.  

At the forefront of the endeavor to develop an HIV vaccine is Marie-Claire Gaudin, PhD, a professor at Texas Biomedical Research Institute and the Southwest National Primate Research Center. She has dedicated over a decade to crafting an innovative vaccine strategy that aims to halt virus as it enters the body. With support from NIH, including a recently awarded $3.8 million grant, Dr. Gauduin’s visionary approach is paving the way for a new era in HIV prevention. 

The Quest for an Effective HIV Vaccine 

The challenge posed by HIV is two-fold: its rapid spread through the body within days of infection and its ability to reach peak viral levels within two weeks. Traditional vaccine development has struggled to keep pace with the virus’s swift assault on the immune system. Enter Dr. Gauduin’s idea: why not intercept HIV at the very point of entry before it infiltrates cells and establishes its stronghold? 

Dr. Gauduin reflects on her “aha” moment, saying, “I had this idea as a postdoc. I thought it had to be naïve because nobody was talking about it. It was obvious and simple; I thought someone would have already done it.” Little did she know that her seemingly straightforward insight would set the stage for a paradigm shift in vaccine design. 

Unveiling the Strategy 

Dr. Gauduin’s novel approach is laser-focused on the mucosal epithelium—the inner lining of the vagina and rectum, where HIV is most likely to breach the body’s defenses. The vaccine sparks the production of antibodies specifically within these regions, strategically positioning them to thwart the virus’s advance.  

Additionally, it is engineered to engage the basal cells—the foundational building blocks of the lining. These basal cells are pivotal in renewing the epithelial layer, ensuring the body’s natural defense mechanisms remain fortified. The vaccine, nestled within the basal cells, is then passed on to new cells as the old ones die off, establishing an ongoing barrier against HIV entry. 

A Masterstroke in Prevention 

The vaccine’s potency is further enhanced by its composition as a live attenuated vaccine. Unlike its predecessors, it’s constructed from HIV’s genetic code, meticulously modified to remove harmful components. While live attenuated vaccines have been successful for diseases like smallpox and yellow fever, HIV’s propensity to mutate has thwarted previous attempts. 

From Lab Triumphs to Real-world Impact 

Dr. Gauduin’s vaccine exhibited impressive results in early trials involving nonhuman primates, and her sights are now set on expanding these promising outcomes. The following research phase entails a larger group of animals; a necessary step to establish safety and efficacy benchmarks before embarking on human clinical trials. As the vaccine progresses, Dr. Gauduin is also investigating alternative delivery methods to optimize efficiency, a crucial consideration for eventual mass immunization efforts.  

National Primate Research Centers Prioritize Openness for Scientific Progress

At the forefront of biomedical and behavioral research are the seven National Primate Research Centers (NPRCs). They form a vital network dedicated to conducting and enabling groundbreaking research to improve human and animal health. Studies at the centers include development & aging, genetics & genomics, infectious disease, neuroscience & brain disorders, and reproduction & endocrinology. The NPRCs have been instrumental in driving discoveries crucial for overcoming health challenges and in helping the public understand the significance of research that involves animals.   

A Comprehensive Approach  

A priority of the NPRCs is to share information via local, regional and national outreach. Through a multifaceted approach, the NPRCs foster education and dialogue, ensuring openness about their research and the expert care of animals involved in NPRC research studies.   

From participating in local events to leveraging digital platforms, the NPRCs employ diverse strategies to make connections. NPRC.org provides the latest information for the public, and NPRCresearch.org, which is undergoing updates, ensures the scientific community has comprehensive information about the resources the NPRCs offer NIH-funded researchers. Through timely and engaging content, the NPRCs strive to explain the highly regulated research process and showcase their contributions to scientific progress.   

A Legacy of Excellence  

With a history spanning more than six decades, the NPRCs stand as pillars of scientific expertise and exemplars of public outreach. The U.S. Animal Research Openness initiative (USARO) recently featured information about the NPRCs’ outreach programs on the USARO website. This article provides encouragement for other research centers to follow the NPRC lead.   

A Future Filled with Accurate Information  

As the NPRCs continue to make scientific discoveries, their dedication to openness will continue to expand. The NPRCs believe openness helps empower individuals to make informed decisions, is critical to instilling confidence in scientific research and care of research animals, inspires future generations of scientists and ensures the public has accurate information about how research with animals is improving lives.  

Every day, the seven National Primate Research Centers (NPRCs) conduct and enable collaborative research studies to improve human and animal health. For more than five years now, we’ve been sharing our latest news and scientific advancements with you via NPRC.org and @NPRCnews (X), and there’s more coming your way. 

To ensure the NPRCs provide the topics of most interest to our readers and followers, we looked back at your favorite stories to help us move forward. Your top interests span behavior and psychology, infectious disease and neuroscience and brain disorders research. We will continue to share news that represents what you have most enjoyed, and we will also bring you information that reflects the breadth and depth of research across the NPRC network.   

We appreciate our readers and followers, and encourage you to take another look at your favorite blogs about NPRC research, to share the information with your family, friends and colleagues, and to continue connecting with us via NPRC.org, @NPRCnews and, now, on the new NPRC LinkedIn account. Via these resources, you’ll always be able to access the latest news on NPRC research that is helping people across generations and around the world live longer, healthier lives.   

Behavior and Psychology 

1. The Effects of Wildfire Smoke Exposure in Early Pregnancy 

A study by California NPRC and UC Davis researchers investigated the effects of wildfire smoke exposure on infant monkeys during early pregnancy. The study found that exposure led to increased inflammation, reduced stress response, memory deficits and a more passive temperament in the monkeys. The findings suggest environmental changes during pregnancy can have lasting effects on offspring.  

Infectious Disease 

2. A Deadly Relationship: Stopping the Progression of Tuberculosis in HIV Patients   

Researchers at the Southwest National Primate Research Center have discovered chronic immune activation in the lungs plays a crucial role in the progression of tuberculosis (TB) and HIV co-infection. This dysfunction hampers the body’s ability to fight off infections. The study suggests the need to develop treatments targeting chronic immune activation alongside antiretroviral therapy (ART). TB and HIV are global pandemics that reinforce each other, affecting a significant portion of the world’s population. The findings offer hope for improved treatment strategies in the next decade. 

3. New Possible Correlation Between Lyme Disease and Lewy Body Dementia  

At Tulane National Primate Research Center, researchers discovered intact spirochetes of Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease, in the central nervous system of a 69-year-old woman who received multiple rounds of antibiotic treatment. The presence of this bacterium coupled with her persistent neurological decline raises the possibility of a correlation between Lyme disease and Lewy body dementia. This finding highlights the bacterium’s persistence despite targeted therapy and emphasizes the need for further research to comprehend its role in severe neurological conditions. 

4. Are DNA Vaccinations a Perennial Answer to the Flu?  

Researchers at the Washington National Primate Research Center are developing a universal flu vaccine that could protect against all strains of the influenza virus. Using a DNA vaccine administered through the skin, the team has achieved promising results in macaques, providing 100% protection against a previous flu virus. This approach could eliminate the need for annual flu shots and be quickly deployed during pandemics. The researchers believe this technology could also be effective against other viruses and outbreaks. 

Neuroscience & Brain Disorders 

5. Past Social Experiences May Affect Brain’s Response to Oxytocin

A study at the Emory (formerly Yerkes) National Primate Research Center and Emory University showed the response of neurons to oxytocin, a chemical involved in social bonding, can vary based on an individual’s past experiences. Using female prairie voles, the researchers examined the nucleus accumbens, a brain region related to pair bonding. They found that oxytocin reduced neuron firing before bonding and increased it afterward, when triggered. The study also revealed a connection between oxytocin signals and endocannabinoids, affecting defensive interactions. These findings provide insights into how prior experiences influence oxytocin’s impact on brain circuits. 

6. NPRC Study May Have Found Link That Causes Anxiety and Depression  

Researchers at the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center and the University of Wisconsin-Madison have discovered brain pathways in juvenile monkeys that could contribute to anxiety and depression later in life. By studying the connections between specific brain regions, they found a correlation between synchronization and anxious temperament. These findings may lead to better treatment approaches and help identify gene alterations associated with anxiety. 

7. The Drinking Gene: Could Alcoholism Be Inherited?  

Research conducted at Oregon National Primate Research Center has identified a gene, GPR39, as a potential target for developing medication to prevent and treat alcoholism. By modifying protein levels encoded by this gene in mice, the researchers observed a significant reduction in alcohol consumption. They also found a link between alcohol and the activity of this gene. The study draws attention to the importance of cross-species approaches to identify drugs for treating alcohol use disorder. Further investigations are under way to determine if the same mechanism applies to humans. These findings offer potential insights for developing drugs to address chronic alcoholism and mood disorders. 

Zika is spread mainly through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. And while many people infected with the Zika virus will only have mild symptoms, contracting Zika during pregnancy can lead to severe brain defects.  

 The 2015-2016 Zika outbreak in Brazil and other countries in the Americas caused a surge in miscarriages and a constellation of congenital disabilities, prompting the World Health Organization to declare a public health emergency of international concern. 

 While there has never been a vaccine or medicine to prevent Zika, a recent collaboration between Trudeau Institute, Texas Biomedical Research Institute’s Southwest National Primate Research Center (SNPRC), and Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) demonstrated a vaccine candidate successfully prevented the virus from passing from mother to fetus during animal studies. 

 In-Jeong Kim, Ph.D., a viral immunologist at Trudeau Institute and the first paper author states, “Our proof-of-concept studies conducted at Trudeau and Texas Biomed show very promising results that the vaccine given before pregnancy will provide high levels of protection for mothers and babies.” 

 Testing pregnant women is highly restrictive due to ethical and safety reasons, which is why the Trudeau Institute and Texas Biomed team evaluated the vaccine in pregnant mice and marmosets. The results? More than 90% effectiveness in marmosets, making it a viable approach for countering the persistent threat of Zika in humans. 

Parkinson’s disease is a slowly progressive chronic neurologic condition, causing a gradual loss of the nerve cells producing the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain. While there are no standard diagnostic tests for Parkinson’s, the diagnosis is clinical and based on findings of a neurological exam and information provided by the patient. Tremors occur in about 70% of those living with Parkinson’s, typically appearing on one side of the body, in a hand or a foot, while relaxed or at rest.*

The primary and most potent medication used to treat Parkinson’s disease is Levodopa, which helps restore balance, reduce shaking, and manage other motor issues patients experience. Overall, this treatment is radically helpful for those suffering, but erratic involuntary movements often emerge as a side effect of this drug over time.

“Levodopa is amazing, it works like magic, but it has side effects. If we can eliminate these side effects, it could change the life of patients with Parkinson’s,” says Marcel Daadi, Ph.D., an associate professor at Texas Biomed and lead paper author.

Dyskinesia is a common side effect in patients with Parkinson’s disease. It is not a symptom of the disease itself. Still, it typically emerges about five years into taking Levodopa. And like human patients, primates develop Dyskinesia after receiving Levodopa.

A study commenced at Texas Biomedical Research Institute (Texas Biomed) to help make strides in the reduction of Dyskinesia in humans. During this time, Daadi and collaborators administered the compound PD13R (created by medicinal chemists at Temple University) to the marmoset animal model of Parkinson’s. When treated with PD13R, primates experienced relief from uncontrolled movements as their Dyskinesia dropped by more than 85%, a measurement made by with the help of wearable activity monitors.

*https://parkinsonrockies.org/live-well/diagnosis-and-symptoms/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA8vSOBhCkARIsAGdp6RTNBEB0jvY01T0sel6voKUxEkV3GrikEtZbWVghPiKl5jk1CToebVQaAvtIEALw_wcB

One of the few therapies currently available to treat patients with COVID-19 is REGEN-COV, a monoclonal antibody cocktail that combines two antibodies that can bind to and neutralize the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The Southwest National Primate Research Center (SNPRC) at Texas Biomedical Research Institute (Texas Biomed) worked with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., maker of REGEN-COV, to test the effectiveness of the medication before it moved to human clinical trials. The result: the Food and Drug Administration granted emergency use authorization for REGEN-COV as a treatment for mild to moderate COVID-19 patients as well as for patients at high-risk for severe COVID-19 after an exposure to the virus. 

SNPRC’s work began quite early during the pandemic. Texas Biomed has been a longtime collaborator with Regeneron, and the two organizations had just wrapped up work on a successful Ebola virus treatment as COVID-19 began to spread. 

That established relationship made it easy to team up on SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, explained Professor Ricardo Carrion, Jr., Ph.D., who co-leads the Disease Intervention & Prevention Program and directs high containment contract research at Texas Biomed. “We had the experience and processes in place for evaluating therapeutics in animal models of emerging diseases and understood what we needed to do to be successful in a short timeframe,” Carrion, Jr. said.

Within three months, SNPRC and Texas Biomed researchers had evaluated or established several different animal models for SARS-CoV-2, including rhesus macaques, transgenic mice and golden Syrian hamsters. The researchers tested the antibody cocktail for Regeneron in rhesus macaques. The data from these advanced, pre-clinical studies helped the candidate COVID-19 therapy move forward to clinical trials in people.  

Carrion, Jr. was not surprised the initial results, published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Science, showed the antibody cocktail was safe and effective. “They are a very professional company and very good at what they do,” he said. “Regeneron ensured that all the tests that could be done prior to moving to animals were done, so there was a high likelihood of this antibody cocktail succeeding.” 

As variants of SARS-CoV-2 emerged, SNPRC and Texas Biomed scientists continued to work with Regeneron to evaluate the lasting effectiveness of the cocktail, which was determined a resounding success. The study, published in the journal Cell, featured information from both human trials and hamster animal models of COVID-19. The animal models enabled researchers to gather precise insights in a highly controlled environment, which help explain what is observed in the human population.

Such teamwork drives scientific advancements and, in this case, has been critical to helping people who have COVID-19 overcome the virus.

There are approximately 29 million people in the U.S. with Type 2 Diabetes —a lifelong disease that prevents the body from using insulin correctly. While there is currently no cure for the disease, losing weight, eating well and exercising can help to manage it.

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, University Health and Texas Biomedical Research recently announced encouraging results following a minimally invasive procedure that dissolved abdominal fat in two Type 2 Diabetes patients. Doctors believe that removing the visceral fat will improve diabetes and slow down the arterial disease.

Before bringing the treatment to humans, doctors utilized the Southwest National Primate Research Center (SNPRC) at Texas Biomedical Research Institute as the site of the large-animal studies. As it turned out, all of the animals treated with mesenteric visceral lipectomy technique, or MVL, survived without any complications, and all had remission of Type 2 Diabetes.

During MVL, a surgeon makes a small abdominal incision and uses a device to dissolve the glycoproteins that hold the fat together and then suctions out the fat without disrupting the blood vessels or surrounding tissues.

“This is important because the fat in our abdomen contains numerous blood vessels,” Richard Peterson, MD, said. “This technique allows the fat to be removed surgically without significant bleeding. Once the fat is loose, it is suctioned out.”

Read more diabetes research from the National Primate Research Centers (NPRCs) here.