Hudson, New York — November 8, 2012 - Taconic, a leading provider of life sciences solutions, announced it is serving as a Platinum Sponsor of the first Rare Disease Science Challenge, hosted by Assay Depot and the Rare Genomics Institute. The Rare Disease Science Challenge: Be HEARD (Helping Empower and Accelerate Research Discoveries) aims to speed and facilitate research on rare diseases for which no therapy currently exists.
Taconic is one of 20 life science companies sponsoring the competition, in which research proposals will vie for $400,000 in donated services in 21 categories, along with a cash prize for the top winning proposal. The challenge is open to researchers, foundations and families of rare disease patients (who can partner with academic researchers to develop a research proposal tailored to the patient's specific condition).
As a Platinum Sponsor, Taconic has donated a choice of one of three animal models which can provide significant value in rare disease research:
- Constitutive knockout mouse model, which permanently inactivates a target gene in all cells of the animal throughout development.
- Constitutive knock in mouse model, in which Taconic inserts a point mutation into the genome in a precise manner.
- Targeted transgenic mouse model, in which Taconic inserts a transgene into the well-defined ROSA26 locus without interfering with the expression of other genes.
Employing the most advanced technologies, these three models provide greater predictive capabilities and enable researchers to gain greater insight into the mechanisms that underlie disease pathogenesis, diagnosis, and prevention, so they can effectively validate drug targets and test potential therapies.
"In keeping with our mission to improve human health through innovative animal models and services, Taconic is pleased to sponsor an initiative designed to advance research into diseases that typically are not studied, but affect as many as 25 million Americans," said Todd Little, Taconic President and CEO. "Our participation also underscores the Taconic commitment to give back to the communities in which we live and work, by contributing our time and resources to industry organizations whose missions align with ours".
About Assay Depot
Assay Depot is the world's leading provider of outsourced scientific services. The company operates a network of online research marketplaces that dramatically streamline purchases between scientists and more than 8,000 global research vendors. Assay Depot is changing the way life science research is done. To learn more about Assay Depot's enterprise software, visit http://enterprise.assaydepot.com.
About Rare Genomics Institute
RGI is a nonprofit that makes cutting edge research technologies and experts accessible to rare disease patients. By providing an expert network and an online crowdfunding mechanism, RGI helps families source, design, and fund personalized research projects in diseases not otherwise studied. While starting with genome sequencing, RGI is working towards the ultimate goal of enabling any community to fund any research for any disease. For more information, visit: http://raregenomics.org.
About Taconic
Taconic is a leading provider of life sciences solutions to researchers worldwide, offering innovative lab animal models and scientific services that facilitate in vivo studies and advance drug discovery. Taconic's wide range of advanced solutions include custom model design, generation and production, off-the-shelf model repositories, contract research, custom breeding, genetic monitoring, and health testing. Headquartered in New York's Hudson River Valley, Taconic operates seven breeding facilities and three service laboratories in the U.S. and Europe and maintains a staff of over 750 scientific specialists committed to technological innovation.