Taconic Biosciences enhances rasH2 Carcinogenicity Test System access in Asia-Pacific

KUALA LUMPUR, March 22 -- Taconic Biosciences has appointed Nomura Siam International Co Ltd (NSI) and Nomura Jimusho Inc (NJI) as sales agents and distributors of the rasH2 Mouse Carcinogenicity Test System in India and China, respectively.

“The rasH2 model has delivered on the promise of transgenic technology by demonstrating exceptional value in carcinogenicity assessment of new drugs, and the worldwide adoption of this system is a testament to its advantages in terms of speed, specificity, and total cost,” said vice president commercial products at Taconic, Dr Michael Seiler.

According to Taconic Biosciences, a global leader in providing drug discovery animal model solutions, in a statement, these distribution arrangements greatly improve rasH2 access for the burgeoning pharmaceutical industry in the Asia-Pacific region.

The rasH2 transgenic mouse model is the only short-term (six-month) carcinogenicity test system that is both accepted by global regulatory authorities and readily available in commercial production.

Invented by the Central Institute for Experimental Animals (CIEA), the rasH2 model is widely used as an alternative to the 2-year carcinogenicity bioassay, providing a faster, more accurate test system that better aligns with Russell & Burch's 3R tenets.

Taconic and CLEA Japan Inc (CLEA) have provided validated and consistent rasH2 mice for use in North America, Europe, and Asia since 2006, though access in India and China has been limited.

As drug discovery and development activity increases in India and China, access to a carcinogenicity assay that is accepted by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA), as well as local authorities, is vital.

Under the new agreement, NSI serves as sales agent and distributor for India and NJI as sales agent and distributor for China. These distributors and sales agents greatly simplify the transaction process for users located in these countries.

NSI and NJI will leverage CLEA and Taconic production colonies in Japan, Denmark, and the US to meet customer demand, facilitating investigator access.

-- BERNAMA