Hudson, NY — June 21, 2011 - Taconic, a leading provider of life sciences solutions to researchers worldwide, announced it has entered into an agreement with the Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI) to gain access and commercialize cancer models and associated preclinical compound screening technologies developed at the NKI.
Under the terms of the agreement, Taconic will commercialize various mouse models developing solid tumors. The portfolio includes a breast cancer model resembling hormone receptor- and ERBB2-negative ("triple-negative") mammary carcinomas, accounting for roughly 15% of human breast cancers. The breast cancer model has been validated by NKI scientists to recapitulate key aspects of the human disease and allows the analysis of tumor progression and interactions with the microenvironment. Primary tumors from these mice can be used in an orthotopic allograft system for efficacy testing and preclinical evaluation of novel therapeutics. In collaboration with the NKI, Taconic has established these preclinical testing services in its facilities in Cranbury, New Jersey and is now offering these innovative solutions to its clients. The portfolio of available models further includes an invasive, lobular breast cancer model (E-cadherin/p53 deficient) and various strains carrying deletions of tumor suppressor genes, including p53® and Ink4a/Arf.
Through Taconic's access to the DuPont™ OncoMouse® technology, Taconic is now positioned to broadly commercialize cancer prone mice and build efficacy and compound profiling platforms for the preclinical evaluation of anti-cancer therapeutics using these models. The agreement with the NKI is a significant step in further expanding Taconic's portfolio of validated models covering all major human cancer types.
"The commercialization of the NKI cancer models by Taconic is a result of many years of close interaction and collaboration with the NKI in the area of cancer research", said Dr. Paul Rounding, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Translational Models and Solutions, Taconic. "With Taconic expanding its repertoire of preclinical testing services for oncology compounds, the addition of solid tumor models replicating the progression of human disease and predictive of clinical responses to therapies are a great asset for our company."
Dr. Jos Jonkers, group leader at NKI and originator of a number of the models now licensed by Taconic: "NKI is very happy to partner with Taconic in making these models more widely available to academic and industry researchers at the quality level that Taconic can deliver."
These provisions build on Taconic's oncology focus, and thus, provide another predictive tool in Taconic's growing portfolio of efficacy testing solutions for oncology therapeutics.