Today's modern researchers often depend on sophisticated tools for their scientific endeavors. One such tools that is frequently used by scientists for the better understanding of diseases (without the added risk of harming an actual human being) is animal models. Taconic has been in the business of provideing animal models for the past 60 years and has made a name for itself in the industry. Taconic provides innovative animal models and scientific services that facilitate in vivo studies and advance drug discovery.

Mr Scott Schulz, vice president, operations, research models and solutions, Taconic, spoke to BioSpectrum Asia during India's premier life science event, Bangalore India Bio 2013. Mr Schulz was in India to announce Taconic's partnership with Hyderabad-based Vivo Bio Tech and to explore the India market. Following are the excerpts:

Please tell us about your company
Taconic is a leading provider of life sciences solutions to researchers worldwide, offering innovative animal models and scientific services that facilitate in vivo studies and advance drug discovery. Our solutions enable investigators to obtain reliable data early in the development cycle thus helping them to reduce costs, accelerate time-to-market, and create strong competitive advantage.

At our seven breeding facilities and three service labs, located in the US and Europe, more than 750 Taconic scientists and specialists demonstrate their commitment to technological innovation every day. In Asia, Taconic works with a network of partners, who supply Taconic products and service. The countries we support through partnership arrangements include, India, South Korea, Japan, Singapore and Malaysia. Taconic is a privately-owned family-run business, headquartered in Hudson, New York, US. Earlier this year, we celebrated our 60th year of doing business in the life sciences arena.

Companies are now shying away to conduct tests on animals due to a number of issues, including the fact that drugs may behave differently in animals and in humans. What are your comments on this?
As an solution to the above mentioned problem, the mouse model is often employed to study complex biological process related to man. However, not all experimental results from mice readily translate to humans. Technology now exists to humanize mice by replacing a murine gene with its human ortholog in vivo.