November 14, 2025
As one of the nation’s leading GLP toxicology partners, Envol Biomedical is proud to be a Silver Sponsor of this year’s American College of Toxicology (ACT) Annual Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona. Among the highlights of the event will be a presentation by Dr. Jacob (“Jake”) McDonald, who will deliver an in-depth talk on one of the most urgent and misunderstood challenges facing preclinical research today—the global supply chain for non-human primates (NHPs).
Dr. McDonald’s solo session, “The Evolution of Cynomolgus Macaques in North American Research: History, Supply Chain Dynamics, and the Future of Sustainable Sourcing,” will offer a comprehensive look at how scientific, regulatory, and geopolitical forces have shaped access to primate research models—and what the industry must do to ensure an ethical, stable, and sustainable supply moving forward.
The Fragile Balance of Global Supply
In recent years, the research community has become acutely aware of just how fragile the NHP supply chain truly is. The COVID-19 pandemic brought that reality into sharp focus, creating a surge in demand for primates that far outpaced global supply. Even as the immediate crisis has subsided, the underlying vulnerabilities remain.
“The over-demand during COVID was extreme,” McDonald explains. “But even now that supply pressures have eased, the broader structure of the supply chain is still uncertain. China remains closed to the export of research primates for the foreseeable future. Cambodia and Vietnam have recently been under review by CITES, with Cambodia having been effectively barred from shipping to the USA these past few years. These disruptions have made it clear that the industry must diversify and modernize how it sources primates.”
As a result, the research world is revisiting regions like Indonesia and the Philippines, both of which have a long, scientifically validated history of supplying high-quality cynomolgus macaques for research dating back to the 1950s. These origins were widely used through the early 2000s until economics and logistical shifts redirected sourcing toward China, and later Cambodia, and Vietnam. Now, as China has closed, and Cambodia has effectively been barred from shipments to the USA these past few years, the focus is turning back to Indonesia & the Philippines—this time with greater emphasis on ethics, genetics, and sustainability.
Envol’s Role in Rebuilding Supply Chain Resilience
Envol Biomedical has taken a leadership role in helping restore stability to the global NHP supply network. The company’s long-term strategy involves significant investment in domestic breeding programs and collaborative partnerships in the Philippines, where ethical, well-regulated breeding of Indonesian and Philippine-origin cynomolgus macaques is underway.
“Our organization is actively developing strategies to help ensure a consistent, long-term supply for U.S. research programs,” McDonald says. “We’re not just talking about numbers—we’re talking about quality, background data, and characterization. We’re genotyping and phenotyping these populations to reestablish the depth of understanding that existed decades ago and to make sure these animals continue to support world-class, GLP-compliant research.”
This renewed focus on data and traceability represents a crucial evolution. By strengthening biological baselines and validating the use of these lineages in current preclinical models, Envol and its partners are ensuring that scientists can confidently rely on these resources for critical pharmacology, pharmacokinetics (PK), and toxicology studies—particularly in the biologics and advanced therapy sectors.
Why This Matters for Toxicologists and Researchers
The consistency and integrity of the primate supply chain directly impact data integrity, reproducibility, and the long-term progress of drug development. Understanding where animals come from—and how their origin, genetics, and environment influence outcomes—is more than a sourcing question; it’s a scientific one.
“Anyone working in toxicology, pharmacology, or PK research needs to be aware of how geopolitical and regulatory developments can affect their studies,” McDonald emphasizes. “Many of the decisions being made now about origin and availability will determine the viability of certain study designs years down the line. This presentation is about equipping scientists with the knowledge they need to plan ahead.”
McDonald’s session will cover:
- Historical context of NHP use in research from the 1950s to today
- Key regulatory and trade events that reshaped global supply routes
- The resurgence of Indonesian and Philippine-origin animals and what sets them apart
- Ethical and scientific frameworks for sustainable, transparent breeding programs
- Future strategies for maintaining global continuity in preclinical research
Continuing the Conversation at ACT
As a Silver Sponsor, Envol Biomedical will have a prominent presence throughout the ACT Annual Meeting. Attendees can visit the Envol booth to learn more about the company’s GLP toxicology programs, domestic NHP breeding initiatives, and integrated research capabilities spanning pharmacology, toxicology, and veterinary sciences.
For those who rely on NHP research in any capacity—from study design and execution to regulatory submission—this presentation offers a vital opportunity to gain clarity and foresight into a topic that will shape the future of preclinical science for years to come.
“The more we understand the global context of NHP research,” McDonald concludes, “the better positioned we are to protect scientific integrity, animal welfare, and the continuity of life-saving research.”
Presentation Details:
The Evolution of Cynomolgus Macaques in North American Research: History, Supply Chain Dynamics, and the Future of Sustainable Sourcing
📅 November 16–19, 2025
📍 ACT Annual Meeting | Phoenix, Arizona
🎙️ Presenter: Dr. Jacob McDonald, Envol Biomedical
Visit Envol Biomedical at our Booth to connect with our team, explore our GLP toxicology services, and discover how we’re advancing ethical science through sustainability and innovation.