What are the benefits to sharing a pre-clinical research model, other than scientific collaboration?

A research tool is only as useful as it is available to those who need it. All too often, exciting discoveries remain proprietary for much too long, thereby slowing progress for the entire field. This is particularly true within the realm of animal models, where the process of creating a model is inherently slow from the outset. The nature of the work itself combined with the pressure and need for researchers to publish in high-quality journals can lead to years-long delays in wider distribution to the community. Add to this extensive regulation pertaining to University policy on transferring animals to other institutions and restrictions limiting use by for-profit entities and it's not surprising that the path of least resistance may be to re-create the model entirely. It doesn't take too long to realize this is a flawed system.

Some Universities are notoriously difficult when it comes to negotiating Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs), while others seem to have a smoother process for distribution. The same holds true for researchers themselves. This is, of course, not one-sided - researchers seeking to obtain access to a particular model can bring additional issues to the table. While none of these matters are insurmountable, they can cause serious delays in an already time-consuming scenario.

Still, there are success stories; models do get placed in repositories, models do get shared between individual investigators. The common theme seems to be a willingness to remain proactive despite setbacks in what can be a daunting course. While the administrative path to sharing a new animal model is sometimes unclear (the "how?"), seeking answers shouldn't be (the "why?"). For instance, while a researcher may be prohibited from handing over a model to a company directly and freely, it's advantageous for both the researcher and the institution from which it originates to share. First, some of the costs associated with creating the model may be recovered. Second, companies are likely to learn things about the model that might not otherwise be investigated in the context of drug development, a crucial step in getting from bench to bedside. Third, reaching an agreement to share effectively eliminates the need to start from scratch - saving highly valuable resources.

Sharing an animal model with an investigator at another academic institution can also be met with initial difficulties. For researchers who would prefer to distribute their model in "one-off" instances, it's worth considering that the time, effort, and cost associated with maintaining a colony with high demand may be reduced considerably by deposition of the model into a distribution facility, such as Jackson Laboratories or Taconic, to name just two. Not only are these facilities equipped with scientific and husbandry expertise, they have the administrative know-how to negotiate multiple MTAs and eliminate more than a few headaches along the way. Generally speaking, the first step is incredibly simple: provide them with enough information about your model for them to evaluate it scientifically; this can usually be done on their website. They'll take it from there, communicating with your institution and seeking your input where needed.

This summary can't address all possible hurdles and scenarios related to animal model distribution. It's likely though that whatever a researcher may encounter in the process of getting their model out to the broader scientific community, someone else has also dealt with successfully. And if you get really stuck, you can always ask your funder for guidance.