ERS Genomics agrees to license CRISPR/Cas9 to Knudra Transgenics

ERS Genomics and Knudra Transgenics have signed a non-exclusive license agreement on CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing patents for model organisms.

The deal provides Knudra with worldwide access to ERS’ CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing intellectual property for use in engineering of model organisms.

ERS Genomics holds rights to the foundational CRISPR-Cas9 patent portfolio from Dr. Emmanuelle Charpentier, an inventor of the breakthrough gene-editing technology.

Under the license Knudra scientists will use CRISPR technology to engineer C. elegans (commonly known as nematodes or roundworms) and D. rerio (commonly known as zebrafish) to build custom models and develop related products for their customers.

Both organisms are used widely as powerful platforms for medical discovery and drug development in both basic research and the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry.

ERS Genomics CEO Eric Rhodes said: “Knudra is a young and energetic group of highly-skilled gene editing experts and we are very pleased to provide them with access to the most powerful genome engineering technology available. We believe Knudra is a great example of how a smaller company, dedicated to building platforms for medical discovery, can benefit from use of this exciting new technology.

“It is very important to ERS Genomics to provide broad access to the foundational technology and we are focused on enabling as many of these companies as possible to harness CRISPR-Cas9 in multiple areas.”

Chris Hopkins, CSO of Knudra, said: “CRISPR-Cas9 is a very powerful tool and we are excited to have gained access to this technology through ERS Genomics. We fully expect to see an enhancement to our current genome editing capabilities.”

Trisha Brock, CEO of Knudra, said: “We look forward to applying CRISPR technology in our TAVASERV Transgenesis Services. We expect the resulting integration will provide significant benefits to our customers’ research needs.”

Dr. Emmanuelle Charpentier’s research unveiled the key components and mechanisms of the CRISPR-Cas9 system, leading to the landmark publication with Jennifer Doudna, which laid the foundation for the use of CRISPR-Cas9 as a highly versatile and precise genome editing tool.

Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.