SNBL to Showcase Its Exclusive, Patented Procedure Cage in San Francisco

EVERETT, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

SNBL USA, a preclinical laboratory with extensive and unmatched expertise in nonhuman primate (NHP) toxicology, today announced it will exhibit its patented Procedure Cage at booth #714 in the ToxExpo area at the Moscone Convention Center during the 2012 Society of Toxicology (SOT) 51st Annual Meeting. SNBL staff will showcase its patented procedure cage technology for the first time during posted exhibitor hours.

This unique and innovative procedure cage was originally designed over 20 years ago by Dr. Ryoichi Nagata, current SNBL Chairman of the Board and son of SNBL's founder. Dr. Nagata developed this device after investigating first-hand how safety and improved animal handling processes could be applied to the handling of NHPs. The cage attaches directly to an animal's home cage and the animals enter the attached procedure cage on their own. This invention eliminates the need for hand catching or pole and collar restraint, thus providing a less stressful environment for both NHPs in SNBL's charge as well as a safer environment for staff who work directly with the animals. There are customized access points for the animal's limbs and head that enable easy access for various study procedures. A senior animal technician at SNBL USA states, “Based on our experience, using the procedure cage promotes positive interaction between animal and human which we believe results in better science as the overall handling environment can remain calmer. In addition, the use of this separate cage for study-related procedures allows the animal to keep the home cage as a ‘safe place'.”

These benefits are also directly related to recent research that concludes “reduced-stress” animal testing provides more reliable and accurate data. Currently, SNBL USA's Developmental & Reproductive Toxicology (DART) program credits its low spontaneous abortion rates in part to the procedure cage utilization. “It is clear that using the procedure cage during the conduct of DART studies minimizes the animals' stress levels, which in turn, keeps the pregnancy losses relatively low (on average 16.6%),” notes Dr. Norbert Makori, SNBL USA DART Director.

SNBL invites attendees of the upcoming SOT Meeting to stop by booth #714 to see this unique, patented innovation up close and discuss in more detail the benefits it can produce for NHP preclinical drug development programs.

About SNBL USA, Ltd.

Headquartered in Everett, WA, SNBL USA, Ltd. offers a unique range of safety assessment services to fulfill our commitment of freeing patients from suffering. Managed and operated by a team world renowned for its wide-ranging NHP experience and expertise, we offer programs ranging from regulatory toxicology to customized study designs and disease models. Our specialized capabilities include safety assessment of biologics, reproductive toxicology, cardiovascular, respiratory and CNS pharmacology, immunotoxicology and carcinogenicity. SNBL USA's state of the art facility can house up to 4,000 NHPs. Our available in house colony assures a quick study start. Through a commitment to investment and excellence, SNBL USA strives to offer the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries unparalleled quality in both science and service. For additional information call 425.407.0121 or visit www.snblusa.com.

SNBL USA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd. (SNBL), one of the largest CROs in Japan. With its multiple worldwide facilities and countless skilled and experienced scientists and technicians SNBL Group works together in providing a full range of drug development services.