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ERS Genomics Limited has confirmed the 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 said, "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's 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.
