CRISPR Therapeutics Partners with ProBioGen to Pioneer Novel In Vivo Gene Editing Platform

Recently, VCBeat (WeChat Official Account: vcbeat) learned from foreign media that CRISPR Therapeutics, a leading U.S. gene-editing company, has announced a collaboration with ProBioGen, a firm specializing in cell engineering development, aimed at developing new in vivo editing modalities for CRISPR/Cas9.

CRISPR is a genomic structure found in bacteria that contains gene fragments from viruses that have previously attacked the bacteria. Bacteria use these gene fragments to detect and resist attacks by the same viruses, thereby destroying viral DNA. This type of genomic structure is a key component of the bacterial immune system. Leveraging this mechanism, humans can accurately and efficiently edit specific genes within living organisms, a technology known as CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing.

CRISPR Therapeutics is dedicated to developing transformative medicines using its proprietary CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing platform. CRISPR/Cas9 is a revolutionary technology that enables precise, targeted modifications to genomic DNA. CRISPR Therapeutics has secured foundational patents for the therapeutic use of CRISPR/Cas9 in humans from Dr. Emmanuelle Charpentier, one of the inventors of CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing applications. CRISPR/Cas9 edits genes by precisely cutting DNA and then leveraging natural DNA repair mechanisms. As a gene-editing tool, CRISPR/Cas9 has already revolutionized biomedical research and may soon drive medical breakthroughs through innovative biological approaches.

Currently, CRISPR Therapeutics is striving to translate its unique, highly efficient, and versatile CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing platform into therapeutic platforms for the treatment of hemoglobinopathies, cancer, diabetes, and other diseases. The company’s team comprises world-class researchers and drug developers. Its research programs targeting the blood disorders beta-thalassemia and sickle cell disease, as well as its immuno-oncology projects focused on CRISPR/Cas9-edited allogeneic CAR-T cell therapies, have entered clinical trials.

ProBioGen, founded in 1994 and headquartered in Berlin, Germany, is a renowned contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) and technology provider. ProBioGen offers cell line engineering, process development, and GMP manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals to clients in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Additionally, ProBioGen provides process development services and manufacturing technologies for viral vaccines.

ProBioGen’s innovative technology enables antibody-drug conjugation at multiple targets by removing fucose from antibodies, facilitates in vitro testing of the immunogenicity and functionality of recombinant proteins, thereby boosting productivity to unprecedented levels and even increasing the yield of viral vectors or vaccines.

Dr. Tony Ho, Executive Vice President of Research and Development at CRISPR Therapeutics, stated, “Our CRISPR/Cas9 platform holds transformative potential for a range of devastating, genetically defined diseases. To ensure we realize this potential, we are continually seeking new technologies to support our programs. Collaborating with the ProBioGen team and leveraging their expertise will significantly strengthen our R&D efforts in the in vivo delivery of CRISPR/Cas9.”