The Oregon Health & Science University board of directors on Monday voted to allow OHSU President Shereef Elnahal, M.D., M.B.A., to enter discussions with the National Institutes of Health about the possibility of transitioning the Oregon National Primate Research Center to a primate sanctuary.
The board passed a resolution to begin a six-month timeframe for the parties to develop a framework on a possible transition of the ONPRC to a primate sanctuary.
Along with potential federal support for the transition to a sanctuary, OHSU intends to seek increased investments through a competitive process to build up its capabilities in new approach methodologies, known as NAMs, and other areas of science, including biofabrication, gene therapy, and more.
"OHSU is a global leader in cutting-edge science, and we are eager to discuss new scientific frontiers with NIH," Elnahal said. "OHSU researchers are already 3D-printing blood vessels, making organs-on-a-chip, and more. That is just the start of OHSU-driven innovation. It is also an opportunity to make OHSU the national leader in developing the research methodologies of the future."
Since 1962, NIH has supported the breeding and maintenance of nonhuman primates at ONPRC for scientific research, with the understanding that the relationship would change as scientific methods evolved. In April 2025, NIH director Jay Bhattacharya, M.D., Ph.D., announced that the NIH was adopting an initiative to expand the use of human-based approaches to improve health and disease research.
While NIH continues to support animal-based research as an avenue to expand scientific knowledge, the human-based science initiative committed the NIH to demonstrating a shift in funding that reduces NIH's support for animal-based research. New and emerging technologies expand the research toolbox and offer researchers the ability to study health and disease utilizing human biology to achieve replicable, translatable, and efficient results. These methods may be used as standalone replacements, or in combination with other approaches, including animal studies, to complement and reduce the use of animals in biomedical research.
"This endeavor aligns with the human-based science initiative launched by Dr. Bhattacharya," said Nicole Kleinstreuer, Ph.D., NIH deputy director for program coordination, planning, and strategic initiatives. "NIH is committed to thoughtfully reducing the use of animals in the research it supports, and is partnering with OHSU precisely so that we can ensure we are advancing science in a robust and strategic way while ensuring that the animals are well cared for."
"A careful transition of the primate center to a sanctuary will help NIH continue to reduce the use of animals in biomedical research where scientifically feasible," Bhattacharya said. "Our focus will always be on supporting cutting edge science that advances our understanding of the biology of human health, cures, prevents, and alleviates disease, and lengthens life for all."
The resolution approved Monday gives Elnahal and designees six months to negotiate an agreement that considers: financial support for a sanctuary and animal-care jobs at ONPRC; continuation of current research at ONPRC for the duration of existing grants unless renegotiated; and input on the transition from OHSU faculty, AFSCME-represented employees, and experts from the animal sanctuary and animal protection communities.
