创新药遭遇“窜天猴”：两个月大涨30%，1只实验猴卖12万元

Core Viewpoint - The price of non-human primates, particularly the crab-eating macaque, has surged significantly, with prices rising from over 90,000 yuan to 120,000 yuan in just two months, indicating a budget shortfall of over 1 million yuan for companies seeking to purchase these animals for drug safety evaluations [2][4][6]. Price Trends - The price of crab-eating macaques has experienced a dramatic increase, with a 30% rise recently, following a previous peak of over 200,000 yuan in 2022, and a subsequent drop to a low of 65,000 yuan [2][4]. - Industry experts predict that the price will fluctuate between 70,000 yuan and 150,000 yuan over the next two to three years [2][4]. Supply and Demand Dynamics - There is a notable shortage of available macaques, with many companies struggling to find suitable sources despite the rising prices [4][17]. - The demand for crab-eating macaques has surged, with usage in domestic laboratories increasing from 18,140 in 2017 to 28,026 in 2019, a growth of 54.5% [11]. - The annual supply-demand gap for crab-eating macaques in China is estimated to be around 10,000 animals, with a significant focus on maintaining a balanced ratio of male to female macaques for breeding purposes [17]. Industry Structure and Challenges - The breeding cycle for crab-eating macaques is lengthy, taking approximately six to seven years from birth to maturity, which complicates the ability to meet rising demand [12][14]. - The concentration of resources among leading Contract Research Organizations (CROs) has further limited the availability of macaques, as these companies have acquired a significant portion of the existing supply [16][17]. - The current market dynamics have led to a stagnation in the breeding of macaques, with many companies opting to sell available macaques rather than invest in breeding programs [14][16]. Regulatory and Ethical Considerations - Recent developments in the U.S., where the CDC plans to halt all internal research involving monkeys, have sparked discussions about the future of animal testing in biomedical research [21][22]. - The reliance on non-human primates for critical research underscores the ethical dilemmas faced by the industry, as the demand for innovative therapies continues to grow [21][23].