MilliporeSigma Receives First U.S. Patent for Improved CRISPR Genome-Editing Method

- Proxy-CRISPR technology provides solution to improve genome editing and advance new possibilities for research

- Helps modify difficult-to-access regions of the genome, increasing genome coverage

BURLINGTON, Mass., Feb. 19, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- MilliporeSigma, a leader in genome editing, today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued a formal notice allowing MilliporeSigma's patent application directed to its proxy-CRISPR technology.

"This is our first U.S. patent for CRISPR, and as a leading innovator of CRISPR technology, we will continue to collaborate with scientists around the world to ensure that the full potential of this powerful tool is realized, responsibly and ethically," said Udit Batra, CEO, MilliporeSigma. "This is great news for researchers in the U.S., as they now have more gene-editing options that accelerate drug development."

MilliporeSigma's proxy-CRISPR is a new genome-editing technique that makes CRISPR more efficient, flexible and specific by opening the genome for modification of DNA. The technology can help scientists modify regions of the genome which are difficult to access.

This U.S. patent allowance marks MilliporeSigma's 13^th CRISPR patent worldwide. MilliporeSigma's CRISPR patent portfolio includes granted patents in Australia, Canada, Europe, Singapore, China, Israel and South Korea. Those patents are for CRISPR-related technologies covering foundational and alternative genome-editing methods.

To deploy the method, two CRISPR systems are designed to target the genome in proximity to each other and work together. One CRISPR system opens a regional "door," pushing away blocking chromatin proteins, while the other walks through it to find the exact location for modification.  Since the resulting modification requires two CRISPR binding events, the proxy-CRISPR method can enable twice the specificity of individual CRISPR systems. 

MilliporeSigma has received patents for its CRISPR paired nickase technology (cleaving opposite strands of a chromosomal sequence to create a double-stranded break) in Australia, Canada and Europe. Patents for MilliporeSigma's CRISPR integration technology (chromosomal cutting of the sequence of eukaryotic cells and insertion of a DNA sequence) have been granted in Australia, Canada, Europe, Singapore, China, Israel and South Korea. MilliporeSigma is licensing its entire patent portfolio for all fields of use.

CRISPR technology is a core competency for MilliporeSigma, which has 15 years' experience with genome editing, spanning from discovery to manufacturing. MilliporeSigma recognizes that genome editing has resulted in major advancements in biological research and medicine.  At the same time, the growing potential of genome-editing technologies has opened scientific, legal and societal concerns. MilliporeSigma supports research with genome editing under careful consideration of ethical and legal standards. MilliporeSigma's parent company, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, has established an independent, external Bioethics Advisory Panel to provide guidance for research in which its businesses are involved, including research on or using genome editing, and has developed, defined and transparently published a clear operational position taking into account scientific and societal issues to inform promising therapeutic approaches for use in research and applications.

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About the Life Science Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

The Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, which operates as MilliporeSigma in the U.S. and Canada, has 20,000 employees and 60 manufacturing sites worldwide, with a portfolio of more than 300,000 products enabling scientific discovery. Udit Batra is the global chief executive officer of MilliporeSigma.

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany completed its $17 billion acquisition of Sigma-Aldrich in November 2015, creating a leader in the $125 billion global life science industry.

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, operates across healthcare, life science and performance materials. Around 51,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people's lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From advancing gene-editing technologies and discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices – the company is everywhere. In 2017, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany generated sales of €15.3 billion in 66 countries.

The company holds the global rights to the name and trademark "Merck" internationally. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany operate as EMD Serono in healthcare, MilliporeSigma in life science, and EMD Performance Materials. Since its founding 1668, scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to the company's technological and scientific advances. To this day, the founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. For more information about Merck, KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, visit www.emdgroup.com.

SOURCE MilliporeSigma

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