Cellectis genomics news

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) granted U.S. Patent No. 9,458,439, which claims a method of gene editing using chimeric restriction endonucleases. Specifically, the patent covers methods of modifying, repairing, attenuating and inactivating chromosomal DNA in a cell by using a chimeric restriction endonuclease to induce a double-stranded DNA cleavage at a specific site. The patent expressly covers use in human cells -- including T cells, blood cells and stem cells -- as well as animal, plant and bacterial cells. Cellectis said the “invention is at the basis of current nuclease-based precise gene inactivation techniques using chimeric restriction endonuclease such as Cas9/CRISPR (and related families)” and transcription-activator-like effector nucleases (TALEN). According to Cellectis, anyone “would be required to get a license on this patent to use CRISPR/Cas9 in a cell.” The company said it would be open to licensing the IP to companies if it fits “our strategy and competitive position.” Cellectis said it prefers using TALEN over CRISPR to develop its chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cell therapies. Cellectis’ UCART19, which comprises CAR-modified CD19-targeted allogeneic T cells, is in Phase I testing to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) (see BioCentury, July 11). ...