Why are lab monkeys so expensive?

Seen as pests in some parts of Asia, long-tailed macaques are highly sought-after in the world of biopharmaceutical research for drug development. But now a worldwide shortage means one monkey can sell for tens of thousands of dollars, so what’s driving up the cost?

China’s fast-developing biopharmaceutical industry has created more demand for macaques, and South East Asia is jumping on the opportunity to deliver.

Indonesia is resuming its export of macaques, to the chagrin of animal welfare groups who warn it may worsen the exploitation of an endangered species.

Not just any monkey can be used for testing.

Only captive-raised macaques are suitable, fuelling concerns that higher prices could lead to “monkey laundering” - where poached monkeys from the wild are introduced into the captive system under false records. On this episode of Asia Specific, host Mariko Oi is joined by the podcast’s Editor Bill Birtles, Bloomberg Asia pharma reporter Amber Tong and the BBC’s Jakarta-based senior journalist Liza Tambunan.

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