Singapore IPO Grants CRISPR Patent to Merck – Latest Update
In only a few short years, CRISPR genome editing has gone from being an exciting discovery to being discussed as a possible technique for everything from creating gene drives to stop the spread of the Zika virus, to treating various cancers and other diseases, developing sophisticated diagnostic tools, and improving crop yields.
Now, Massachusetts-based genome editing company, Merck’s MilliporeSigma, has been issued a “Notice of Eligibility for Grant” by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore for its patent application covering the company’s CRISPR technology used in a genomic-integration method for eukaryotic cells.
“Singapore’s notice of patent allowance for Merck’s CRISPR integration technology is yet another reinforcement of our intellectual property,” said Udit Batra, Member of the Merck Executive Board and CEO, Life Science. “We look forward to receiving additional grants for similar patent applications in several other countries as we collaborate with the global scientific community to find new treatments for diseases.”
With a 12-year history in the genome-editing field, Merck was the first company to offer custom biomolecules for genome editing globally (TargeTron RNA-guided group II introns and CompoZr zinc finger nucleases), driving adoption of these techniques by researchers all over
the world. Merck was also the first company to manufacture arrayed CRISPR libraries covering the entire human genome, accelerating cures for diseases by allowing scientists to explore more questions about root causes.The patent entitled “CRISPR-BASED GENOME MODIFICATION AND REGULATION,” covers chromosomal integration, or cutting of the chromosomal sequence of eukaryotic cells (such as mammalian and plant cells) and insertion of an external or donor DNA sequence into those cells using CRISPR.
Once issued, the Singapore patent will extend the protection of Merck’s CRISPR integration technology into Singapore, further strengthening the company’s patent portfolio. Merck also has patent filings for its insertion CRISPR method in the US, Brazil, China, India, Israel, Japan and South Korea.