Key Findings:

1. Protocol Noncompliance: (1) Radiation Toxicity Incident: An adult male macaque underwent videofluoroscopy more frequently than outlined in the approved protocol and experienced symptoms consistent with radiation toxicity. This incident was self-reported, and the university has since taken corrective actions to ensure compliance with IACUC protocols. (2) Analgesia Administration: The report noted instances where systemic analgesia was not provided following surgical procedures on macaques. These instances were also self-identified, and the university has reinforced staff training, implemented ongoing oversight, and continued personnel management efforts to ensure adherence to established guidelines and prevent recurrence.
2. Personnel Qualifications: Two macaques were found outside their enclosures within the vivarium, leading to injuries in four animals, three of which required sedation for medical treatment. This incident was self-reported. All staff have undergone retraining, and new job aids have been created to ensure enclosures are properly secured.
3. Indoor Housing Facilities: Concerns were raised regarding continuous light exposure in a small number of animal rooms due to a programming error in the automatic light schedule and a failure of the alarm system. The university proactively addressed this issue before the inspection, implementing measures to maintain proper diurnal lighting cycles for the health and well-being of the animals.

Commitment to Improvement:
The UW is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of animal care and research ethics. We take these findings seriously and are actively working to enhance our protocols and training programs.

ACO3Rs Program:
As part of the UW鈥檚 commitment to ethical research practices, the UW champions the principles of the聽Animal Care, Outreach, and 3Rs Program (ACO3Rs). This program focuses on the聽3Rs: Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement in animal research. For more information about these initiatives and commitment to animal welfare, please visit the聽ACO3Rs website.

Conclusion:
The UW appreciates the USDA’s oversight and guidance to the animal research conducted on campus. The welfare of our research animals is of utmost importance, and we are committed to openness and continuous improvement in our practices.

Contact Victor Balta at balta@uw.edu.

Fuller has been part of the WaNPRC team as associate director of research since 2021 and has been serving as interim director since June. With more than 30 years of experience in vaccine research and nonhuman primate models for infectious diseases, she is recognized internationally for her groundbreaking work in translational vaccines and antivirals. Fuller鈥檚 innovative approach to developing DNA and RNA vaccines for swift responses to emerging infectious diseases is timely and impactful.

鈥淚n our discussions about her vision as director, I was inspired by her commitment to expanding the Center鈥檚 research capabilities and enhancing its infrastructure,鈥� Ostendorf said. 鈥淚 am confident that WaNPRC will thrive under Dr. Fuller鈥檚 leadership, and I look forward to partnering with her to advance the exceptional work at the Center and to support its long-term success.鈥�

WaNPRC plays an important role in the UW research enterprise with its dual mission of empowering the delivery of leading-edge scientific discoveries to improve human health and advancing standards of care, health, well-being and conservation for primates around the world.

鈥淚 am honored to be entrusted with leading the Washington National Primate Research Center,鈥� Fuller said. 鈥淎s one of only seven primate centers in the nation, WaNPRC is a leader in transformative biomedical research. WaNPRC has provided a critical bridge for basic research and clinical testing of new innovations that have and will continue to save or improve millions of human lives. I look forward to supporting the next discoveries in human and veterinary medicine and training the next generation of scientists and veterinarians in nonhuman primate research.鈥�