Transnational transgenic deal for CopyRat

Monash University spin-off CopyRat has entered into a joint venture with French company genOway to develop rat cloning technology.

The partners plan to develop technology for production of rat models for the study of human genetic disease and drug discovery.

Rob Daniels, CopyRat's chief operating officer, said that the deal would allow the two companies to combine their expertise in stem cell technology, embryology and cloning to rapidly develop rat models.

"They have one half of the puzzle, and we have the other half," he explained. While genOway is a leader in rat nuclear transfer techniques and was the first to successfully generate cloned rat embryos, CopyRat has the exclusive rights to rat stem cell and embryology methodology developed at Monash.

"It will see us fast-track the development of rat models so we can provide the medical and scientific research community with a vital raw material to combat major diseases," said Daniels.

He explained that CopyRat would provide genOway with some of its novel stem cell lines, which would then be tested out in genOway's rat cloning procedures, with the aim of being able to produce rat models with specific genetic modifications.

"We'll take advantage of each company's strengths," noted Daniels. "Together we'll get there faster."

According to Daniels, the two companies met at a scientific meeting last year in the US, and realized the potential for collaboration. Since then, they have met several times to hammer out the details of the partnership. No financial details have been disclosed.

While the venture is planned to last for 12 months initially, Daniels did not rule out the possibility of extending it at a later date.

"The deal is fully in line with our business plan to develop strategic partnerships with key worldwide companies and expedite our own business success," he explained.