Sumitomo Pharma takes license to CRISPR/Cas9 patent portfolio from ERS Genomics

Sumitomo Pharma takes license to CRISPR/Cas9 patent portfolio from ERS Genomics

Dublin, Ireland, 26 April 2022: ERS Genomics Limited (‘ERS’) is pleased to confirm finalization of a license agreement with Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd. (‘Sumitomo Pharma’) granting Sumitomo Pharma non-exclusive access to the fundamental CRISPR/Cas9 intellectual property portfolio held by ERS.

ERS, co-founded by Dr. Emmanuelle Charpentier, 2020 Nobel Prize winner for gene-editing, provides access to the foundational CRISPR/Cas9 intellectual property. Eighty-nine patents are held in over eighty countries, including 3 patents in Japan with broad coverage of the use of CRISPR/Cas9.

ERS CEO, Eric Rhodes, had the following statement: “We have been working with Sumitomo Pharma’s group for some time and are pleased to finally be able to announce this agreement. Sumitomo Pharma has a reputation worldwide for excellence and vision, and we look forward to seeing how CRISPR/Cas9 will enhance their internal research programs and lead to more effective drugs.”

 

Expanding on the regional aspect of the deal, Eric added “Japan has one of the most developed biotechnology sectors in the world and we hope this partnership with Sumitomo Pharma is a signifier of a growing presence in this country. This represents ERS’ 16th license deal in Japan.”

 

Financial details of the agreement are not disclosed.

Summit Pharmaceuticals International Corporation, a subsidiary of Sumitomo Corporation, serves as the exclusive agent for ERS Genomics in Japan.