HUDSON, N.Y., April 03, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Taconic Biosciences, a global leader in genetically engineered mouse models and associated services, has launched ExpressMODEL™, an innovative and streamlined model generation service that reduces the timeline to first generation and experimental cohort by up to four months.

This novel model generation method significantly reduces the time required to create an experimental rodent cohort, enabling critical drug discovery testing to happen much faster, saving both time and money.

ExpressMODEL™ leverages Taconic’s extensive in vitro fertilization (IVF) expertise, optimizing procedures by using chimaeras to rapidly expand founder mice. This increases the number of mice carrying targeted alleles in the first generation from 3-4 to at least 20-30.  By providing a sizeable colony of first generation heterozygous animals, ExpressMODEL™ allows researchers to skip at least one round of colony expansion, saving 3-4 months on the overall project timeline. Elimination of natural breeding in the germline transmission step results in predictable timelines and better experiment planning.

Unlike other methods employed to reduce timelines, ExpressMODEL™ does not rush critical genome modification procedures. The new Taconic approach preserves the use of stringent controls during the genome modification process, thereby minimizing the risk of generating a mouse model carrying the wrong transgenic allele or additional unwanted mutations.

“In drug discovery it is rare to find an innovation that saves time while increasing quality, as typically one is pursued at the expense of the other.  ExpressMODEL™ represents a tremendous value for our customers because it can save up to four months of time, while creating more predictable timelines and consistent high quality,” shared John Couse, PhD, Portfolio Director for Taconic Scientific Services. 

“Our model generation work is not done when we have a founder or breeding pair. With ExpressMODEL™, we provide our clients with research-ready cohorts so they can start their work immediately,” said Couse.

Taconic is a fully-licensed provider of rodent model generation services and has twenty years of model design experience, providing gene inactivation, gene mutation or replacement, transgene expression, RNAi, and gene editing via CRISPR/Cas9 technologies to ensure that the right tools are leveraged for each specific customer project.  Complimenting this expertise is Taconic’s unique capability of providing a seamless transition from model design to breeding and colony management, thus offering customers a complete solution.   These scientific services include acquiring or generating, importing, licensing, breeding, testing, preparing, and distributing genetically engineered models to any location worldwide.

To learn more about Taconic's custom model generation, please call 1-888-TACONIC (888-822-6642) in the US, or +45 70 23 04 05 in Europe, or email info@taconic.com.  

About Taconic Biosciences, Inc.
Taconic Biosciences is a fully-licensed, global leader in genetically engineered rodent models and services. Founded in 1952, Taconic helps biotechnology companies and institutions acquire, custom generate, breed, precondition, test, and distribute valuable research models worldwide.  Specialists in genetically engineered mouse and rat models, precision research mouse models, and integrated model design and breeding services, Taconic operates three service laboratories and six breeding facilities in the U.S. and Europe, maintains distributor relationships in Asia and has global shipping capabilities to provide animal models almost anywhere in the world.