Editas Medicine, Broad Institute, Harvard, MIT, Wageningen University, University of Iowa, University of Tokyo deal

Editas licensed exclusive rights from the six institutions to IP covering CRISPR-based gene editing technologies. The IP includes a new gene editing system that uses the CRISPR from Prevotella and Francisella 1 (Cpf1) endonuclease, rather than CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9), to cut target DNA. The IP also covers new forms of the Cas9 endonuclease and other CRISPR/Cas9 technologies.

Editas has an existing license from the Broad Institute to one of the two foundational CRISPR patents, which is being challenged in an ongoing interference. Editas said that Cpf1 has “independent intellectual property” compared to the foundational IP, along with benefits that include an increased number of sites in the genome that can be edited, simpler manufacture and delivery and increased accuracy (see BioCentury, Jan. 11, 2016)...