Allergan makes a deal with Editas to License CRISPR for Eye Disease according to : labiotech

Allergan has signed a deal with Editas Medicine to access its CRISPR technology and license up to five of its programs in ocular disease. Editas Medicine has already attracted plenty of investors, raising a massive €89M in its IPO last year. With this new deal, Allergan will access both CRISPR/Cas9 and CRISPR/Cpf1 versions of the technology. Recently, the US Patent Office ruled in favor of Feng Zhang and the Broad Institute, the owners of Editas Medicine's licensed CRISPR patent. Images from vectorfusionart /Shutterstock; Editas Medicine




San Jose Mercury News TNS via Getty ImagesAllergan ( agn ) and gene-editing upstart Editas Medicine ( edit ) have struck a deal that gives the pharma giant access to up to five experimental serious eye disease treatments powered by Editas' groundbreaking CRISPR gene-editing technology. The eye disease focus is an ideal match for Allergan, whose portfolio includes several ocular treatments (it also continues CEO Brent Saunders' preferred approach of in-sourcing innovation from smaller biotechs ). A variety of biopharma companies have been testing out the CRISPR gene-editing platform on diseases ranging from rare genetic disorders to sickle cell disease to cancer and HIV/AIDS . "The Allergan team is excited to work with colleagues at Editas Medicine to develop and potentially deliver game-changing treatment for retinal diseases like LCA10. This program is highly complementary to our ongoing eye care development programs where unmet medical need exists for patients."

Editas and Allergan Partner on Multiple CRISPR Eye Disease Programs

This program is highly complementary to our ongoing eye care development programs where unmet medical need exists for patients." "Allergan has long been a leader in advancing innovative therapies to treat eye diseases," added Katrine Bosley, president and CEO at Editas Medicine. Editas will receive $90 million upfront from Allergan for five programs, plus near-term milestones related to LCA10 development. Editas Medicine and Allergan inked a R&D partnership that gives Allergan exclusive access and a licensing option to up to five of Editas's early-stage CRISPR genome-editing programs targeting eye diseases, including its lead preclinical program for Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA10). "Working together with Allergan through their Open Science R&D model significantly enhances our ability to develop genome-editing medicines to help patients with serious eye diseases.



collected by :Lucy William

To follow all the new news about Disease !!! All you need to know about all kinds of diseases