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ARTICLE | Company News

CRISPR partners with ViaCyte to develop immune-evasive pancreatic cells

September 21, 2018 5:38 PM UTC

CRISPR Therapeutics AG (NASDAQ:CRSP) and ViaCyte Inc. (San Diego, Calif.) partnered to develop a gene edited immune-evasive pancreatic stem cell line as an islet cell replacement therapy that would not require immunosuppression and could potentially lead to an allogeneic stem cell therapy to treat diabetes.

ViaCyte will receive $15 million up front from CRISPR, which the latter may choose to pay in either cash or CRISPR stock. ViaCyte will have an option in certain circumstances to receive an additional $10 million in a convertible note. CRISPR and ViaCyte have joint responsibility for selection, development and commercialization of compounds, and the partners will share costs and profits worldwide...