Abstract
The common marmoset has been used extensively in biomedical research for more than 40 years and more recently, studies in this species have been used as part of the safety assessment to support clinical trials and registration of new pharmaceuticals. The common marmoset is an easily-bred primate that typically weighs 300-500g, approximating to the size of an adult rat. Consequently, it is a popular model for research and many technologies and methodologies used in the rat can also be performed in the marmoset. The dog is the non-rodent species of choice for pre-clinical toxicology studies but there may be reasons why, for certain products, it is unsuitable. For protein-based biopharmaceuticals the most appropriate non-rodent species is often the primate. Certain features of the common marmoset give it some advantages over the other commonly used primates (Cynomolgus and Rhesus monkey). For example, it becomes sexually mature at approximately 14-18 months (compared to approximately 4-years in the cynomolgus and rhesus monkey), therefore all studies can be conducted in sexually mature animals. Its small size also permits performance of some techniques, such as whole-body autoradiography, that are not practical in larger primates. The increasing use of the common marmoset has resulted in the availability of extensive background data and a summary of data for the most commonly measured parameters (haematology, plasma biochemistry, urinalysis, electrocardiography and organ weights) is presented. The extensive information available for the common marmoset and its many similarities to man make it an ideal primate model for pre-clinical studies in drug development.
