Horizon Discovery Licenses AAV Gene Delivery Technology
Horizon Discovery Group plc recently announced it has entered into a non-exclusive license agreement with Stanford University to access intellectual property related to the use of a proprietary serotype of AAV (Adeno-Associated Virus) for commercial applications involving homologous recombination in gene editing.
Created by Professor Mark Kay at Stanford this artificial serotype of AAV known as AAV-DJ effectively transduces (infects) a broader range of mammalian cells (>80%) than any naturally occurring AAV serotype, enabling Horizon to target an increased range of cell types. Combined with Horizon’s existing exclusive license for use of rAAV (recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus) from the University of Washington, the company is the sole source of this effective and highly precise mechanism for gene editing.
“Horizon is committed to ensuring our customers are supported by the widest range of gene editing tools secured by appropriate licenses, enabling us to offer the most complete suite of gene editing products and services to meet their needs,” commented Eric Rhodes, CTO, Horizon.
In February 2014, Horizon announced the launch of its GENASSIST range of gene editing kits and reagents that enable easier, robust implementation of CRISPR and rAAV gene editing experiments. The current GENASSIST offering comprises both off-the-shelf reagents for using CRISPR editing technology and a unique kit combination of these reagents to allow customers to generate their own CRISPR-ready cell lines that constitutively express Cas9-nickase.
Horizon offers researchers an unrivalled toolbox capable of performing rapid functional genomics experiments, and creating high-precision human disease models for deployment at all stages of drug discovery and diagnostic development. Horizon employs three genome editing technologies (AAV, ZFN, and CRISPR) for custom client-led projects, and is continually expanding upon its own menu of over 550 genetically defined off-the-shelf disease model cell lines and related products. Horizon continues to review the gene editing field for further product expansion and IP licensing opportunities. For more information, visit www.horizondiscovery.com.
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