The partnership will combine Intellia's patented CRISPR-based gene editing platform with ReCode's Selective Organ Targeting (SORT) lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery platform
An image of Intellia Therapeutics’ scientists working in the laboratory. (Credit: Intellia Therapeutics, Inc.)
Gene editing company Intellia Therapeutics has partnered with genetic medicines firm ReCode Therapeutics to develop new gene editing therapies for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF).
The partnership will combine Intellia’s patented CRISPR-based gene editing platform, which includes its DNA writing technique, with ReCode’s Selective Organ Targeting (SORT) lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery platform.
The collaboration is intended to precisely correct one or more CF disease-causing gene mutations.
Under the agreement, the firms will concentrate their initial research efforts on therapeutic methods that address CF for patients who have few or no treatment options available.
Later in the collaboration, there will be opportunities to broaden the scope of the work, ReCode said.
Intellia will oversee the creation of research-grade components for the investigational treatments as well as the editing strategy.
On the other hand, ReCode will lead the subsequent preclinical and clinical development. Additionally, the genetic medicines firm will oversee the global marketing of a few of the joint venture’s programmes.
In addition to royalties from prospective sales, Intellia will be qualified to receive predetermined development and commercial milestone payments.
For some programmes, the gene editing company may also exercise its option to take the lead in US commercialisation.
Intellia Therapeutics president and CEO John Leonard said: “This collaboration with ReCode is aimed at achieving that goal as we work together to accelerate the development of potentially life-changing therapies for people with cystic fibrosis.
“Building on our CRISPR/Cas9 capabilities, we have made important progress advancing our proprietary DNA writing technology to enable a range of precise editing strategies. We are excited to combine our gene editing expertise and platform with ReCode’s novel lung-directed LNP delivery platform.”
Intellia is focused on transforming medicine with CRISPR-based therapies.
ReCode uses precision delivery to support the development of the next wave of mRNA and gene correction therapeutics.
ReCode CEO Shehnaaz Suliman said: “This collaboration provides further validation of ReCode’s SORT LNP platform to deliver diverse gene editing modalities to specific cells and tissues.
“By combining our highly synergistic technologies and capabilities, we are excited about the potential to enable a faster path for next-generation gene editing therapeutics to CF patients.”