Advances for India as foundational CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing patent granted

Dublin, Ireland, 13 June 2022: ERS Genomics Limited (‘ERS’) is pleased to report that India Patent No. 397884 was granted on May 27, 2022. This patent covers methods and compositions for use of CRISPR/Cas9 and chimeric Cas9 in all cell types including eukaryotic cells. ERS, co-founded by Dr. Emmanuelle Charpentier, 2020 Nobel Prize winner for gene-editing, provides access to this foundational CRISPR/Cas9 intellectual property.

Michael Arciero, Vice-President of Intellectual Property and Commercial Development, ERS Genomics, said: This is a strong statement for India. The importance of biotechnology to India has been evident as far back as 1986 when the Government, led by the late Rajhiv Gandhi, created a separate Department for Biotechnology. Technological advances have long been a national priority, and this is globally recognized with India among the top 12 destinations for biotechnology worldwide. This patent underlines India’s focus and ambition for the life science sector.’

ERS CEO, Eric Rhodes, added. ‘At ERS, our goal is to make our technology as broadly available as possible. We want no borders or limits on global innovation and advancement. We are keen to see what developments our patents in India will lead to. India has a skilled workforce, strong infrastructure, and policy support. There is huge potential for projects using CRISPR/Cas9 to vastly change day to day life in India. From health to environment to agriculture to bioenergy, the use of gene editing can now be part of the planning to tackle previously seemingly insurmountable challenges.’’

Dr. Charpentier and ERS hold patents to this technology in over 90 countries worldwide.

 

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