Missed these over the summer -
The Woodlands, Texas, July 11, 2006 – Lexicon Genetics Incorporated (Nasdaq: LEXG) announced today that Cellectis SA has granted Lexicon an exclusive, worldwide license under the patents and patent applications covering Cellectis’ technology for the specific replacement or insertion of a gene in a eukaryotic genome. The license applies to the use of Cellectis’ technology in combination with internal ribosome entry site (“IRES”) or isogenic DNA technology in the generation of genetically-modified mice.
Cellectis’ technology is frequently used to insert markers of gene expression or to generate mice in which the human counterpart to a mouse gene has been inserted, or “knocked in”. Lexicon already held a non-exclusive license under these patent rights, and has utilized this technology in the generation of knockout mice as a complement to Lexicon’s existing suite of patented gene targeting technologies. The new license grants Lexicon exclusive rights to make, use, sell and import genetically-engineered mice generated using this technology in combination with IRES or isogenic DNA technology, subject to nonexclusive rights previously granted by Cellectis, with the exclusive right to grant sublicenses. The term of the exclusive license is for the life of the patents. The technology is covered by United States patent numbers 6,528,313, 6,638,768 and 6,528,314 and related patents and patent applications in the United States and other countries.
Lexicon was granted an exclusive license under patents and patent applications covering IRES technology for genetically-modified mice from Stem Cell Sciences plc in November 2005. IRES technology is commonly used to enhance the accuracy and versatility of gene expression in genetically-altered mice and cultured stem cells. Lexicon obtained an exclusive license under the patent rights to isogenic DNA technology in 1996. Lexicon’s intellectual property estate now includes exclusive rights under 12 United States patents related to its gene targeting technologies.
“This is an important set of technologies for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies using knockout mice as a component of their target and drug discovery efforts,” said Lance Ishimoto, J.D., Ph.D., senior vice president of intellectual property at Lexicon. “Our experience confirms the power of using this suite of technologies together in the generation and analysis of genetically-modified mice.”
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Romainville, France - July the 11th, 2006 - Cellectis S.A., the genome engineering company, announced today that it entered into an agreement with Lexicon Genetics Incorporated by which Lexicon granted Cellectis a worldwide, non-exclusive commercial sublicense to use isogenic DNA technology for homologous recombination in eukaryotic cells by double-stranded break methodology.
The isogenic DNA technology improves the success rate of homologous recombination - the most precise approach to gene targeting and broadly used to perform gene knock-in or knock-out in organisms or cell lines. Cellectis already had one of the stronger intellectual properties on uses of homologous recombination, including exclusive rights granted by Institut Pasteur under European patent number 419,621, Japanese patents number 3059481, 3298842 and 3298864 and US patents number 6,528,313, 6,638,768 and 6,528,314 as well as related patents and patent applications in other countries.
Homologous recombination is central to genome engineering, and the license granted by Lexicon relating to U.S. Patent number 5,789,215 complements Cellectis' technological portfolio. Isogenic DNA can also be used in conjunction with engineered meganucleases, sequence-specific enzymes developed by Cellectis to induce targeted recombination at high efficiency in chosen locations in genomes.
David Sourdive, Cellectis' Chief Operating Officer & Corporate Development commented, "We have taken an important step with this license. Access to this aspect of the homologous recombination technology strengthens our intellectual property portfolio". He added: "This license further consolidates our position in the field of genome engineering and its applications. It should expand our capability to introduce targeted modifications in genomes through the use of meganucleases with our partners in agriculture, protein production, biological models or stem cells."
Financial terms and conditions of the agreement were not disclosed.
About Cellectis SA
Cellectis SA (www.cellectis.com) was founded in 2000, as a spin-off from Institut Pasteur. Today, Cellectis is the world leader in applying the technology of Meganuclease Recombination Systems to in vivo genome engineering and genome surgery. The company is focused on the research and development of custom-made Meganucleases for in vivo DNA interventions and also provides new tools for rational reverse genetics and targeted recombination. Cellectis develops Meganucleases that can induce unique site-directed double-strand breaks in a living cell, and can be used for biotechnological and therapeutic applications. The company is focusing on bringing "genome surgery" to clinic as a genuine new molecular medicine approach. |
