Commercialization of CRISPR systems

Skoltech, the Broad Institute and Rutgers University have agreed to jointly use inventions in the field of CRISPR

As part of the cooperation, the parties plan to grant licenses for the commercial use of CRISPR systems C2c1 and C2c2, the press service of Skoltech reports.

Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech), the Broad Institute at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University and Rutgers University ‒ The State University of New Jersey (USA) has signed a trilateral agreement on the joint use of inventions. Its goal is to provide the world scientific and biotechnological community with opportunities for commercial use of the intellectual property created with the joint efforts of the parties in the field of CRISPR.

These developments include, in particular, joint inventions of scientists from Harvard University and MIT in the field of CRISPR systems, designated as C2c1 (Cas12b) and C2c2 (Cas13). At the beginning of 2015, it was announced that a joint group of scientists from partner universities managed not only to discover such CRISPR systems, but also to describe their properties.

International cooperation in this direction has made it possible to achieve a better understanding of CRISPR technology, making the achievements of biological science in this field more accessible for widespread use. In particular, the CRISPR C2c2 system is a valuable addition to the complex of existing molecular biology tools, providing more accurate isolation of the necessary RNAs, which is especially important at key stages of protein synthesis.

Alexander Kuleshov, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Rector of Skoltech: 
"The opportunity to cooperate with Rutgers University, the Broad Institute and other partners is a great pride for Skoltech. Together we are creating a commercially viable technology that can benefit humanity. We very much hope for the further development of these relations."

Issy Rosen, Director of Business Development at the Broad Institute: 
"This technology can become the basis for breakthrough solutions aimed at improving people's health in general. We are proud that by cooperating with Skoltech and other partner organizations, we will be able to openly share our developments with the global scientific community."

David Kimball, Senior Vice President, Research and Economic Development, Rutgers University: 
"CRISPR technology has really radically changed our understanding of diseases and ways to fight them. I am sure that with its help, scientists will be able to successfully solve the problems of treating many diseases and improving the health of humanity as a whole. We are proud that within the framework of cooperation on the introduction of innovations in a broad research environment, we will have to work together with advanced scientific organizations with a high culture of scientific research ‒ The Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, the Broad Institute and others."

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