Durable Medicine Model Unit

Mission

The Durable Medicine Model Unit (DMMU) is the first shared preclinical research hub among National Primate Research Centers, established with support from the Gates Foundation. We accelerate the development of durable protein therapeutics targeting HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis to deliver affordable, scalable solutions for high-burden populations in low- and middle-income countries.

The DMMU provides a centralized platform where partners evaluate therapies using standardized protocols and coordinated regulatory support, reducing timelines and costs while generating consistent, high-quality data across projects.

What Are Durable Medicines?

Durable medicines are therapies designed to remain active in the body for months following a single administration. Unlike vaccines, which train the immune system to prevent disease, durable medicines deliver proteins or antibodies that directly control or prevent infection over extended periods. This approach is transformative for regions where regular access to health services is limited, offering sustained protection without repeated dosing.

Capabilities

Preclinical NHP Studies
End-to-end nonhuman primate study design, execution, and analysis. Includes PK/PD, immunogenicity assessment, and safety evaluation under standardized protocols.

New Approach Methodologies (NAMs)
Advanced in vitro assays and computational modeling integrated alongside NHP studies. Includes steady-state pharmacokinetic modeling for rational dose projection, reducing animal use while delivering molecular-level insights.

Regulatory Coordination
Centralized management of IACUC protocols, IBC approvals, and multi-institutional regulatory requirements. Streamlined onboarding with rapid NDA processing and protocol activation.

Biocontainment & Core Services
Access to BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratories, on-site PET/CT imaging, biotelemetry, and comprehensive sample processing within our on-site Regional Biocontainment Laboratory.

How It Works

Step 1: Connect. Reach out through the contact link below. We assess your program and define study objectives.

Step 2: Design. Our team develops a standardized protocol, manages regulatory approvals, and coordinates all institutional requirements.

Step 3: Execute. Studies run under centralized oversight with integrated NAMs and NHP endpoints. You receive consistent, publication-ready data.
 

Contact DMMU 

Amir Ardeshir, DVM, MPVM, PhD
Unit Leader, Durable Medicine Model Unit
Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
Tulane National Biomedical Research Center
aardeshir@tulane.edu