Taconic Biosciences announces immuno-oncology animal model portfolio expansion

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 19 -- Taconic Biosciences, a global leader in providing drug discovery animal model solutions, has announced an expansion of its immuno-oncology portfolio.  

According to a statement, immuno-oncology is a leading research priority because it uses the body’s own immune system to effectively treat some types of cancer. 

Syngeneic tumor animal models play a critical role because they use standard inbred mice that have competent immune system, which is required to evaluate immune-modulating therapies.

These models are engrafted with mouse tumours derived from the same strain background; this genetic similarity between tumour and host prevents the host from rejecting the tumor.

One consideration in using syngeneic models is that some drug candidates can cause a negative immune response not seen in humans.

Standard mice may develop anti-drug antibodies (ADA), which can neutralise the therapeutic or even trigger anaphylaxis, preventing researchers from determining therapeutic efficacy in a preclinical study.

Taconic’s Jh mouse, which lacks B cells but retains other immune cell types, such as T cells important for evaluation of immunotherapies, is widely used to overcome this problem. 

Taconic’s Jh mouse was previously only available on the BALB/c background, so it was applicable to only a portion of syngeneic tumor studies. The new Jh mouse on the C57BL/6 background expands utility to cover most studies.

Cohorts of both the C57BL/6 and BALB/c versions of the Jh mouse are available for immediate delivery.

-- BERNAMA