Caliper Discovery Alliances & Services (CDAS), which offers multiple tumor models for preclinical cancer research, reports that it recently developed a pancreatic OncoMouse® model—EL1-luc/EL1-SV40 T-antigen transgenic—to overcome some disadvantages of xenograft tumor models, such as the use of immuno-compromised mice. Through a specific agreement with DuPont Intellectual Assets & Licensing (see January 1 GEN, page 16), CDAS says it can now provide preclinical in vivo compound efficacy and research studies using spontaneous tumor models linking an activated oncogene with a bioluminescent reporter system. It is now possible for scientists to study drug effects in the more relevant physiological microenvironment context of a nonimmnuno-compromised animal, which will better recapitulate the effect of the drug in humans, according to a CDAS official.