EARA member Bioculture Group, a Mauritius-based breeder and exporter of cynomolgus macaque monkeys for biomedical research, has highlighted the vital contribution of these animals to health and medicine, in a recently released video.

In the video, Bioculture’s Journey from Biodiversity to Global Health Innovation, co-founders Mary-Ann and Owen Griffiths and staff discuss the reasons why captive-bred monkeys are needed for biomedical research, as well as the company’s commitments to a culture of care and environmental protection.

The original inspiration behind Bioculture, founded in 1984, was that this species of monkey (also known as long-tailed or crab-eating macaques) is not native to Mauritius and is seen as a pest that damage crops and the natural environment. Therefore, breeding them for biomedical research where they are considered an essential model, was seen as both a benefit to science and a way of reducing harm to the environment. The export of the macaques for research is also highly regulated under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

As further explanation the video highlighted the profound complexity of the human immune system and that to understand it further the only option that researchers have is to use a proxy, with monkeys being the closest living proxy to humans.

Mary-Ann emphasised the obligation to provide the monkeys with the best welfare: “We need to face facts – we can’t be hypocritical in life,” she said. “Everybody who has had their kid vaccinated, who takes any medication, who is subject to surgical treatments – we cannot ever forget the contribution of animals, and more specifically monkeys, to bring all those possibilities to humankind.”

The Mauritius monkeys are free of viruses and are seen as the ‘gold standard’ in terms of health, according to Sam Naraina Poullé, group veterinary director. This is a critical factor when it comes to research that relies on carefully controlled conditions without unintended or unforeseen health effects.

Dr Poullé explained that the culture of care at Bioculture is led by what is best for the animal. “Despite the fact that we know we are going to be using this animal, we have to be responsible enough to take care of them while they are in our custody. As a vet, I feel proud and honoured because this is a noble cause,” he said.

Bioculture was a key supplier of cynomolgus macaques that were instrumental to the development of Covid-19 vaccines during the pandemic. Their customers also work on cutting-edge research that investigate neurodegenerative diseases, future infectious disease outbreaks and cancer research.

Jacob Griffiths, head of business development, said: “Progressively, over the next decade, I have great hope that our customers – and by extension, us – will have played a role in making immense strides to addressing these [areas].”

Bioculture has now embarked on another venture to bring improvements to biodiversity in Mauritius. The Indian Ocean island has only two percent of its original forest left, which is down primarily to invasive species. To address this, the company has acquired areas of forest that are highly threatened and set up teams to weed the forest, while working with the government to reintroduce endangered native species, such as birds, reptiles and plants, to help restore the environment.

“If you’ve got a business that’s making profits then you can plough those profits back into conservation and that’s absolutely our vision,” said Owen.