ToolGen genomics news
The Korean Intellectual Property Office issued two patents covering ToolGen's CRISPR technology. ToolGen said the patents cover fundamental claims for CRISPR/ CRISPR-associated protein 9 ( Cas9)-based genome editing in eukaryotic cells and claims on modifications for improved specificity of CRISPR/Cas9 nucleases. The company believes the Korean patents will lead to partnerships to translate the CRISPR technology into products for biotherapeutics and agriculture. ToolGen said this is the first patent issued covering the technology; the company has filed patent applications in nine other countries, including the U.S. and those in the EU.
According to the company, a team of researchers at Seoul National University led by ToolGen co-founder Jin Soo Kim filed an international patent cooperation treaty (PCT) patent application for the CRISPR/Cas9 technology in 2013, with a priority date of Oct. 23, 2012. The company said the priority date “predates the earliest provisional applications on which the CRISPR patents issued by US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) are based.” ...