Boulder, Colorado, USA
July 12, 2018
Inscripta, a leading gene-editing technology company, today announced two significant milestones. First, the USPTO granted Inscripta its first patent covering systems using MAD7, the company’s first free CRISPR enzyme, as well as patent coverage for systems using another MADzyme, MAD2. Second, Inscripta released new data run by external partners showing MAD7 can edit mammalian cells.
“Today marks a major step forward in the gene-editing revolution we started seven months ago when we released our own, unique CRISPR enzyme (MAD7),” said Kevin Ness, CEO of Inscripta. “We and our partners have shown that MAD7 is an effective tool in editing microbial and mammalian cells. All researchers, both academics and industrial scientists alike, can use MAD7 confidently, and Inscripta is committed to providing a license to its related patents for customers to perform free research and development using the enzyme.”
The new data confirms the potential for using MADzymes in human therapeutic and diagnostic applications, as well as biological development and manufacturing in a wide array of cell lines.
“We have been experimenting with MAD7 and are pleased with the editing activity we’ve observed in mammalian cells,” said Jon Moore, CSO at Horizon Discovery, a leading life sciences company with a focus on the translational applications of gene editing, and an external partner to Inscripta. “Preliminary results have shown that MAD7, when paired with our synthetic guide RNAs, was able to edit multiple sites across several genes. Our characterization of the capabilities of MAD7 continues, but we currently see a bright future for multiple commercial applications.”
The patents confirm the novelty of using MAD7 and MAD2 enzymes in editing systems in multiple cell types, including microbes, plants, and mammalian systems. Inscripta has additional patent applications pending directed to other systems and uses of MAD7 and MAD2, as well as other enzymes in its portfolio, and is committed to broadening its protection of this important class of tools.
In December 2017, Inscripta introduced its MAD7 enzyme, making it fully available for commercial and academic researchers without either up-front licensing fees or “reach-through royalties” on products made or research done using the technology. This unique business approach was the first step in the company’s path to accelerate forward genome engineering and make these tools immediately accessible for the broader research community. In addition, Inscripta’s suite of multiple proprietary MADzymes will be available to researchers through Inscripta’s bespoke enzyme program.
The Inscripta website has more information about the MAD7 enzyme, including a downloadable sequence and quick-start user guides for those who would like to access the MAD7 enzyme. The applicable terms and conditions include a license to Inscripta’s patents covering systems using MAD7.
About Inscripta
Inscripta is a gene-editing technology company that puts researchers in control by making it easy for them to get all they need for cutting-edge, forward cell-engineering. These tools include a family of CRISPR enzymes (called MADzymes), custom nucleases for researchers and commercial partners, and a full suite of gene-editing tools (instruments, reagents, and software) that will significantly increase the speed and efficiency of multiplexed, precision gene editing. By removing the barriers to forward cell-engineering and gene-editing research, Inscripta will usher in a new era of advances to revolutionize how we feed, fuel, and heal humanity.
Inscripta is led by several genomic technology veterans including CEO Kevin Ness, who co-founded QuantaLife and 10x Genomics, and John Stuelpnagel, the chairman of the company’s board, who was co-founder and first CEO of Illumina (NYSE: ILMN) and chairman of 10x Genomics. Inscripta is headquartered in Boulder, Colo.; has offices in Pleasanton, Calif.; and is backed by Venrock, MLS Capital, NanoDimension, Foresite, Paladin Capital Group, and Mérieux Développement. For more information, visit: www.inscripta.com.
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