Horizon Discovery and Rutgers University Forge Exclusive Partnership to Advance and Commercialize Novel Base Editing Technology
VCBeat (WeChat Official Account: vcbeat) has learned that on January 28, 2019, Horizon Discovery Group plc (LSE: HZD), a global leader in gene editing and gene regulation technologies, announced an exclusive strategic partnership with Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey (USA), to jointly develop and commercialize a novel gene editing technology known as base editing. This technology will be applied to the development of new cell therapies and will also enrich Horizon’s existing technological portfolio, helping to expand its service offerings.
This collaboration will further advance the novel base editing platform developed in the laboratory of Dr. Sheng-Kan Jin, Associate Professor of Pharmacology at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. As part of the agreement, Horizon has made a payment to Rutgers to secure an option for an exclusive license to this base editing technology for all therapeutic applications. Furthermore, the group will conduct additional research on base editing at Rutgers University and continue evaluation and proof-of-concept studies internally.
Base editing is a novel technological platform for engineering DNA or genes in cells, correcting errors or mutations in DNA by using enzymes to modify genes. Compared with currently available gene-editing methods such as CRISPR/Cas9, this new technology enables more precise gene editing while reducing unintended genomic alterations and avoiding “cuts” in the gene that could lead to adverse effects.
This technology will have a significant impact on advancing cell therapies through clinical development and commercialization. Terry Pizzie, CEO of Horizon Group, stated, “Base editing represents a potential revolution in the field of gene editing, holding great promise for achieving targeted treatments for numerous diseases that have hitherto been untreatable. This collaboration between Horizon Group, Dr. Jin Shengkang, and Rutgers University will help us expand our scientific and intellectual property capabilities in both research and applied markets. As part of our five-year investment strategy, Horizon is committed to investing in high-value technologies that maintain market leadership, with base editing technology serving as a prime example.”
Dr. Seung-Kan Kim of Rutgers University stated, “The cytidine deaminase used in this technology alone can be leveraged to develop ex vivo therapies, including gene-modified cells for sickle cell anemia and beta-thalassemia, HIV-resistant cells for AIDS, off-the-shelf CAR-T cells for leukemia, and treatments for genetic diseases, demonstrating immense potential.”
Dr. David Kimball, Interim Senior Vice President of Research and Economic Development at Rutgers University, stated, “Gene-editing technology has truly revolutionized the way scientists think about pursuing better outcomes in disease treatment. We look forward to collaborating with Horizon to advance this novel base-editing platform to improve human health.”
As early as January 2018, the United States announced that it would invest $190 million over the next six years to support somatic cell gene editing research, aiming to develop safe and effective gene editing tools for the treatment of a broader range of human diseases. Clearly, the U.S. government also holds a highly optimistic view of the market prospects for gene editing.
According to the latest report from China Business Industry Research Institute, the global precision medicine market is expected to exceed $100 billion in 2020, reaching $105 billion, with gene editing technology serving as a key to unlocking this trillion-dollar market.
Horizon Discovery Group plc (LSE: HZD) is a global leader in gene editing and gene regulation technologies, headquartered in Cambridge, UK.
Horizon Group offers a broad portfolio of technology products and related research services to support the medical and biological communities in gaining deeper insights into gene function across all species, the genetic drivers of human diseases, and the development of personalized molecular, cellular, and gene therapies. These technologies and products have been adopted by more than 10,000 academic institutions, drug R&D organizations, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and clinical diagnostics companies worldwide.
Rutgers University, officially known as Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and commonly referred to as Rutgers, is the largest institution of higher education in New Jersey, USA, and a public research university. Its main campuses are located in New Brunswick and Piscataway, with two additional campuses in Newark and Camden.
(Compiled by Ning Chen)