Learn about the Taconic Cre and cKO/KO Library for Preclinical Models

Powered by Cyagen Biosciences Inc.

Overview

Taconic Biosciences has entered into a strategic partnership with Cyagen Biosciences to distribute Cyagen’s expansive Cre recombinase, conditional knockout (cKO) and constitutive knockout (KO) repository of genetically engineered mouse models across North America and Europe. This collaboration combines Cyagen’s innovation in genetic engineering with Taconic’s world-class breeding, logistics, and regulatory infrastructure, providing pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies with streamlined access to over 16,000 KO and cKO models and more than 200 Cre and reporter models. These ready-to-use mouse models help reduce animal wastage and are great alternatives to lengthy and costly de novo model creation accelerating target validation, disease modeling, and preclinical program initiation.

Value

  1. Accelerate In Vivo Research Timelines
    • Immediate access to Cre, reporter, KO, and cKO models removes 6–12 months of model generation time.
    • Validation data available for many models. 
    • Enables faster progression from target discovery to proof-of-concept studies in oncology, immunology, neuroscience, and cardiometabolic research.
  2. Regulatory and Logistical Simplicity 
    • Taconic manages importation, quarantine, and breeding logistics across U.S. and European facilities.
    • Single licensing framework; no additional breeding license fees required when colonies are maintained at Taconic.
    • Simplifies compliance with EU Directive 2010/63 and U.S. animal welfare regulations.  
  3. Integrated Support Across Continents
    • Taconic's U.S. and European footprint can support research facilities in both continents.
    • Facilitates reproducibility and alignment across multi-site studies.
    • Reduces risk of transatlantic supply disruption or breeding variability. 
  4. Scientific Excellence and Model Validation
    • Cyagen's Cre models use targeted knock-in design for precise and predictable expression.
    • Each Cre driver is validated for cell-type temporal specificity. 
    • Taconic provides breeding and project management expertise for Cre x floxed crosses to meet your research needs while prioritizing animal welfare and optimizing cage utilization.
    • Seamless access to add-on genetic or phenotype characterization services with Taconic or through our partnership network. 
  5. Competitive Pricing
    • Cre, cKO, and KO models are made available to customers in the U.S. and Europe with a competitive pricing structure
    • Separate breeding license fee waived when breeding model(s) at Taconic

Example Research Applications: 

AreaExample ApplicationsFeatured Cre Drivers
ImmunologyStudy of dendritic cells, macrophages, T/B cell lineageZbtb46-Cre, Cd68-CreERT2, Lyz2-iCre
NeuroscienceCircuit mapping, microglia and astrocyte functionTh-CreERT2, Aldh1l1-Cre, Cx3cr1-iCre
CardiometabolicHepatic metabolism, adipose biology, β-cell functionAlb-iCre, Adipoq-iCre, Pdx1-CreERT2

Benefits of the Partnership

  1. Reduce Development Time and Cost
    • Avoid custom model generation timelines, the hassle of importing and setting up a new colony with Taconic support at every step
    • Optimizes project management to provide cohorts as needed with optimized cage utilization. 
  2. Ensure Global Consistency 
    • Taconic's global breeding project management and health-monitoring infrastructure ensures harmonization and animal welfare initiatives.       
  3. Enhance Scientific Confidence
    • Access models designed with advanced validation strategies that improve specificity and translational relevance.       
  4. Streamline Procurement and Compliance
    • Single point of contact for licensing, importation, and husbandry. 

Promotional offers now through the end of 2025: 

NamePromotionCondition
Colony Management Services and Cre BoostBuy any conditional genetics Custom Model Generation project and select a complementary Cre modelBreeding must take place at Taconic
New Customer OffersBuy any Cre or cKO/KO repository model and get a 20% discount on Colony Management Services for the first 12 monthsNew or returning customers only; breeding must take place at Taconic

Accelerate Discovery with Taconic and Cyagen

Taconic and Cyagen Biosciences offer a library of 16,000+ cKO/KO and 200+ Cre Tool and Reporter mouse models, eliminating the need for de novo generation. Combined with Taconic’s integrated embryology and colony management services, this enables faster, more cost-effective research progress.

Visit the repository and learn how we can advance your preclinical research. 

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