Taconic Biosciences and Cyagen Biosciences have announced a strategic partnership that will significantly expand researchers' access to genetically engineered mouse models for preclinical drug discovery. The collaboration makes Taconic the exclusive distributor of Cyagen's extensive library of more than 16,000 genetically engineered mouse models across North America and Europe.
Expanding Model Accessibility Through Strategic Alliance
The partnership combines Cyagen's AI-assisted model generation capabilities with Taconic's established animal production and colony management infrastructure. Cyagen's library encompasses knockout, conditional knockout, and Cre-recombinase expressing and reporter models that span physiological processes, disease modeling, and potential drug targets. These models are essential for exploring gene functions, disease modeling, drug discovery and validation, and drug safety assessments.
"By adding more than 200 Cre (inducible) models and a vast catalogue of gene edited mouse conditional knockout (cKO) and knockout (KO) models to our existing library of 4,500 mouse models, we're expanding our turnkey solution to meet the evolving needs of biomedical researchers," said Mike Garrett, CEO of Taconic.
AI-Driven Model Generation Meets Industry-Leading Standards
Cyagen's genetically engineered mouse models are generated using state-of-the-art methods and AI-assisted capabilities. The company's AI-driven platforms deliver what the partnership describes as unprecedented speed and cost-efficiency in model development, accelerating discovery across biomedical sciences.
The collaboration leverages Taconic's expertise in genetically engineered rodent model generation and colony management services, with models produced under industry-leading animal welfare and biosecurity standards. Scientists in basic research and preclinical drug discovery can now access these models with integrated support for model generation, production, and application in drug-discovery and preclinical studies.
Targeting Multiple Therapeutic Areas
The expanded model library addresses research needs across diverse disease areas. Lance Han, Founder and President of Cyagen, emphasized the company's decade-long focus on developing genetic tools to tackle neurodegeneration, rare diseases, immuno-oncology, and metabolic disorders.
"Today, I'm proud to deepen our partnership with Taconic – expanding global access to these models for researchers in every disease area. Together, we bring cutting-edge models closer to customers worldwide, combining Cyagen's innovation in genetic engineering with Taconic's excellence in quality and health standards and global reach. This collaboration empowers scientists to turn discovery into impact, faster," Han stated.
Immediate Availability and Global Reach
The partnership makes Cyagen's models immediately available to researchers through Taconic's established distribution network. Scientists can access the combined model library and services by contacting Taconic directly or through the companies' respective websites.
Taconic, founded in 1952, operates service laboratories and breeding facilities in the U.S. and Europe, maintains distributor relationships in Asia, and has global shipping capabilities. The company specializes in genetically engineered mouse and rat models, microbiome research, immuno-oncology mouse models, and integrated model design and breeding services.
