Bio Palette deal expands Beam's base editing toolbox, Japan strategy

Genome editing companies Beam and Bio Palette announced a cross-licensing deal Friday that grants each biotech access to the other's base editing technologies. The deal also signals Beam is looking for additional opportunities in Japan, with Kobe City-based Bio Palette pledging to connect Beam to its network and advise its local business development strategy.

In March, Beam Therapeutics (Cambridge, Mass.) CEO John Evans told BioCentury the company is using its $222 million in venture financing -- the largest private haul raised by a CRISPR-based company -- to build out its suite of technologies, expand its portfolio and prepare to enter the clinic (see "Beam Broadens Base with $135M B Round")...