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Inotiv, Inc. Announces the Launch of New Genetically Engineered Rodent Models for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Research
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind., Dec. 13, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Inotiv, Inc. (NASDAQ: NOTV) (the “Company”, “We”, “Our” or “Inotiv”), a leading contract research
About this update from Inotiv, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind., Dec. 13, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Inotiv, Inc. (NASDAQ: NOTV) (the “Company”, “We”, “Our” or “Inotiv”), a leading contract research organization specializing in nonclinical and analytical drug discovery and development services and research models and related products and services, today announced that its Research Models and Services (“RMS”) business, consisting of recently-acquired Envigo, has launched novel transgenic rodent models designed specifically for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and Coronavirus research. Three new models are now available: Mouse model with the human ACE2 gene targeted to the mouse ACE2 locusRat model with the human ACE2 gene targeted to the rat ACE2 locusMouse model with human ACE2 and TMPRSS2 genes targeted to the mouse loci Standard laboratory rodent models do not contain the human genes the SARS-CoV-2 virus (and other Coronaviruses) use to attach to, enter, and infect human cells. Therefore, they are not useful for the study of vaccines and therapies targeting COVID-19. Creating transgenic rodent models which contain these human genes enables the study of treatments and vaccines in the laboratory. The mouse and rat models developed by Inotiv for the study of SARS-CoV-2 overcome the limitations of other commercially available human ACE2 transgenic rodent models: Inotiv’s models express human ACE2 protein at physiologically relevant levels. The effects produced upon SARS-CoV-2 infection in these models more closely parallel human COVID-19 disease.Inotiv’s models do not contain a functional mouse or rat ACE2 gene. Other commercially available models contain these endogenous genes which may confound experimental results.Inotiv has developed the first commercially available human ACE2 transgenic rat model which will have additional utility for studying the neurological impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the toxicology of vaccines and drugs in development. Inotiv utilizes CRISPR/Cas9 for precision gene editing in the production of transgenic rodents. This technology was used to mediate the integration of a codon optimized human ACE2 cDNA expression cassette into the mouse and rat ACE2 gene loci so that the endogenous ACE2 gene promoter drives expression of the human gene while simultaneously eliminating the mouse or rat gene. Therefore, human ACE2 receptors in these models are expressed at ...