HUDSON, NY--(Marketwire - January 20, 2010) -
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Under the agreement Taconic gains worldwide rights to distribute a selection of Transposagen's TKO™ Knockout Rat Models, developed using advanced mobile DNA technologies. The rat repository currently includes approximately 100 models; Transposagen has expressed plans to expand it to 30,000 lines, eventually providing a knockout for each gene in the rat genome.
"The addition of Transposagen's knockout rat repository to Taconic's industry-leading portfolio of transgenic models further strengthens our ability to provide a broad range of sophisticated tools to investigators engaged in pharmaceutical and biomedical research," said Kevin Leak, Senior Vice President, Client Relations, Taconic. "As a global leader in the generation, characterization and distribution of laboratory research models, we are excited to offer more options for the many researchers who turn to Taconic as their preferred source for transgenic models, custom models, and supporting services."
Greater access to knockout rat models is vital to the success of drug discovery. Rats are preferred over mice for certain studies, because their physiology is more similar to humans and their larger size makes imaging, blood sampling and surgery easier. Yet rat knockouts traditionally have been difficult to develop, since the rat genome isn't as amenable to genetic manipulation as the mouse genome. By facilitating investigator access to Transposagen's knockout rat models, Taconic streamlines the process for researchers and helps advance their drug discovery.
Transposagen's TKO™ Knockout Rat Models complement Taconic's wide-ranging product portfolio, offering researchers greater choice in selecting the most relevant model. The company's product line includes the Taconic Transgenic Model™ portfolio of fully-licensed, off-the-shelf models available in typical quantity studies; the Emerging Models program, providing worldwide access to investigator-sponsored models early in their life cycles; a repository of 3,200+ proprietary knockout mice; and custom model generation services.
About Transposagen Biopharmaceuticals
Transposagen Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., a Lexington, KY based company, is the worldwide leader in the creation of unique genetically modified rat models. The company's signature product, TKO™ Knockout Rat Models, mimic human diseases and are used for drug discovery and development research. The production of animal models is a $1.2 billion/year market and is expected to grow 12% annually through 2012. For more information, visit www.transposagenbio.com.
About Taconic
Taconic Farms, Inc. was founded in 1952 as a family-owned business in New
York's Hudson River Valley. Since then, the company has become one of the
largest laboratory rodent providers in the world with a reputation for
consistently producing high quality, well-defined rats and mice. Taconic's
expertise in the custom design and generation of genetically modified mice,
mouse and rat breeding, barrier systems, genetics and animal health
supports researchers focused on drug development using in vivo models.
Taconic has six breeding facilities and three service laboratories in the
USA and Europe, a staff of over 1,000, and a commitment to technological
innovation. Additional information about Taconic is available through its
corporate website, www.taconic.com.
