University of Louisiana at Lafayette New Iberia Research Center (NIRC)

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette New Iberia Research Center performs biomedical research with the purpose of improving quality of life. The center conducts both basic and complex preclinical studies in nonhuman primate models of human diseases. Its work is funded through partnerships with the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of Defense, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and pharmaceutical companies. In 2020, researchers at NIRC played a critical role in the development of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, the world’s first fully tested COVID-19 immunization approved for emergency use. The center supports the development of vaccines for SARS-CoV2, HIV and SIV in nonhuman primates. In addition, its activities have focused on preventing, treating and curing infectious diseases such as flu, RSV, Zika and Ebola. NIRC is the nation’s largest academically affiliated, nonhuman primate research center. It is home to more than 6,800 nonhuman primates.