KUALA LUMPUR, March 23 — Taconic Biosciences, a global leader in providing drug discovery animal model solutions has announced support for global COVID-19 research efforts via a new Coronavirus Toolkit featuring relevant models and services.
Mouse models have been extensively used for research on the SARS-CoV virus, closely related to the new SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. Taconic offers many animal models and services to support COVID-19 research, empowering the global fight against this disease.
According to a statement, Taconic’s Coronavirus Toolkit models are grouped by application: COVID-19 disease models, antibody development and production, and vaccine research and development.
The toolkit includes several proprietary models, one example being an Ace2 knockout mouse available to Taconic through a partnership with inventor Lexicon Pharmaceuticals. Ace2 knockout mice are used to study acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a COVID-19 complication.
Meanwhile, a second example includes genetically humanized human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mice, which are better able to model human vaccine response compared to standard mice.
Finally, Taconic is one of only a few companies in the world that can produce humanized immune system mice on the scale, which carry human immune cells in a mouse.
Beyond models, Taconic’s colony management solutions also offer relief to laboratories faced with restrictions, staff reductions, or temporary closures. Cryopreservation services are offered at a highly competitive price to ensure the security of valuable genetically modified models for the future.
More details about Taconic Biosciences’ Coronavirus Toolkit at https://www.taconic.com/taconic-biosciences-coronavirus-covid-19-toolkit.html.
Sources: BERNAMA