-Its effectiveness in overcoming and preventing stress hair loss comes into light
ANYANG, South Korea, Aug. 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — P1P (Phytosphingosine 1 Phosphate), a cell-regenerating substance developed in Korea, which is thought to be effective in overcoming hair loss caused by stress, is now drawing attention from the domestic hair loss prevention and treatment industry.
Dr. Myung-Joon Choi of KAIST who released P1P
It was learned that ‘S1P(Sphingosine 1 Phosphate),’ a substance found minimally in the blood, helps to regenerate cells in the body and prevent aging, is effective in preventing necrocytosis due to stress.However, the idea did not lead to the development of products owing to expensiveprices.
Under such circumstances, a team of doctors at KAIST continued to delve into the matter in search of its analogs, and succeeded in identifying P1P. By applying P1P to cosmetic and hair loss prevention products, ‘P1P’, a ‘phytosia’ and aesthetic skin care brand, was launched into the market, earning a patent associated with prevention and treatment of hair loss, and a composition for hair growth. From this connection, a skin and hair society in Europeannounced the effect of P1P on the mechanism of hair growth.
Dr. Myung-Joon Choi of KAIST who released P1P said, “While studies are actively under way on the application of P1P worldwide, the projects have met a limitation, that is, it is prohibitively expensive, making it a project of low marketability. Under such circumstances, I am so glad that we managed to open the possibility of commercializing the substance since we have secured a technology of synthesizing the substance for mass production. We will continue to work steadily on the project to introduce better products.”
The P1P substance developed by Korea’s phyto-associated industries are expected to find extensive applications in the domestic medical and bio-industry for stem cell culture technology and the treatment of degenerative neurological diseases.
-Walker Leads the Sourcing Pillar of Young Living’s Seed to Seal Program-
LEHI, Utah, Aug. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ —Young Living Essential Oils, the world leader in essential oils, today announced that it has promoted Lauren Walker to the role of Chief Supply Officer. In her time with Young Living, she and her team have further implemented rigorous sourcing standards while also streamlining manufacturing, warehousing and fulfillment operations.
“Lauren embraces Young Living’s passion for being stewards of the earth and has been a driving force in ensuring that the sourcing, manufacturing and shipping components of our business all operate under that mindset,” said Jared Turner, Young Living Chief Operating Officer. “Her experience and expertise in project management, manufacturing, and supply chain gained throughout her career has been a great addition to our strong executive team.”
Walker leads the sourcing pillar of Young Living’s Seed to Seal program (Sourcing, Science and Standards), that governs how we obtain our products — whether from our corporate-owned farms, partner farms, or Seed to Seal-certified supplier. The sourcing pillar is also a major part of how we verify, through internal and third-party tracking, that the superior essential oils and premium ingredients in our products such as foods, skin care, and supplements were produced and manufactured according to industry best practices and our own high standards.
“We have an obligation to provide our customers with the highest quality products and the best customer experience, and we do that by having effective processes in place,” said Walker. “I’m proud that our team has assessed the whole supply chain of an oil and refined or established processes that help us provide the best products and services to our customers.”
Throughout her three-decade career with high-profile international companies, Walker has established herself as a leader and an innovator in streamlining global systems. After completing her engineering degree, she worked for Xerox as an engineer, followed by 10 years with Procter & Gamble in supply chain, manufacturing/technical operations, and quality. She also worked for seven years with Johnson & Johnson as a plant manager and as Program Manager of their Oral Care franchise. Prior to joining Young Living in 2016, she was Vice President of Manufacturing at Amway, where she was responsible for manufacturing across all product lines: nutrition, home care, personal care, beauty care, durable goods, and paper products.
In addition to her extensive experience, Walker has been a keynote speaker for American Manufacturing Strategies Summit and Front End Innovations Conference, is a Lean Six Sigma Project Champion in Manufacturing, and is Green Belt Certified. She holds a degree in engineering from Union College in New York. Lauren currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Salt Lake Chamber.
About Young Living Essential Oils Young Living Essential Oils, LC, is the world leader in essential oils, with a strict Seed to Seal® process that produces pure essential oil products for every individual, family, and lifestyle. This process ensures that all products are genuine, free of synthetic chemicals, and pure. This commitment stems from the company’s more than 20 years of stewardship toward the earth and its people. For more information, visit YoungLiving.com.
SANTA FE, New Mexico, Aug. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — OpenEye Scientific Software, Inc., an innovative developer of molecular modeling and cheminformatics solutions, today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Pfizer Inc., to provide Orion, OpenEye’s new cloud platform, to the company’s Medicinal Sciences division. Orion will equip chemists with all of OpenEye’s software, extensive tools for data visualization and communication, useful data sources and customizable, task-oriented workflows, all in a robust, scalable, cloud environment.
“We believe that Orion has the potential to revolutionize how computation is delivered to the pharmaceutical industry,” said Dr. Anthony Nicholls, CEO and founder of OpenEye Scientific Software, Inc. “Orion marries the immense resource of cloud computing services, with our insights, science and tools from two decades of helping customers. It continues and expands our tradition of computing at scale, reliable, predictive science and facilitating local innovation. As an open, collaborative platform for both industry and academia we think it can enhance the drug discovery process.”
“We look forward to implementing Orion’s workflow tools to help our efforts to deliver potential breakthrough therapies for patients,” said Enoch Huang, Executive Director of Computational Sciences at Pfizer.
About OpenEye
OpenEye has built a reputation as a scientific leader in the field of molecular design based on two decades of delivering useful applications and programming toolkits. Our scientific approach has focused on the power of molecular 3D structure to inform and guide, in particular via the concept of shape similarity. We have changed industry perception of what is possible with the speed, robustness and scalability of our tools and have recently built these into a ground-up, cloud-native platform, Orion. Combining unlimited computation and storage with powerful tools for data sharing, visualization and analysis in an open development platform, Orion offers unprecedented capabilities for drug discovery and optimization. OpenEye Scientific is a privately held company headquartered in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with offices in Boston, Massachusetts, Cologne, Germany, Strasbourg, France and Tokyo, Japan. For further information on the company and its products, see www.eyesopen.com.
BURLINGTON, Massachusetts, Aug. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Decision Resources Group (DRG), the life sciences industry’s most trusted provider of market intelligence and global data products and services, today announced that it has completed the acquisition of Context Matters, the innovative data technology start-up that developed a first-of-its-kind global market access integrated data platform. Previously the lead investor in a Series B funding round for the startup last fall, DRG’s full acquisition and planned integration of Context Matters cements its position as the partner of choice for global market access data products, analytics, and strategic guidance.
The acquisition of Context Matters reinforces DRG’s commitment to providing a deep understanding of global market access landscapes which life sciences organizations can leverage to drive profitable asset management from development through commercialization. It will fortify DRG’s global market access portfolio by combining the novel Context Matters data model, which links global regulatory and health technology assessment data to detailed clinical trial data, with DRG’s existing suite of products and services. The addition of Context Matters will result in a full service global market access and drug value navigation partner to the life sciences industry, with the flexibility to deliver solutions scaled to client needs and timing—from tactical target points to end-to-end enterprise strategy.
“There is an ever-rising demand to optimize global access to treatments for patients in therapy areas that continue to have unmet need. In our increasingly complex and cost-benefit driven markets, it is imperative for healthcare companies to build robust, evidence-based approaches to plan and prepare their assets for successful global market access,” says Peter Hempshall, Senior Vice President of DRG. “With the acquisition of Context Matters, DRG is pleased to welcome an experienced team of pioneering global market access experts. They have been at the forefront of compiling and connecting disparate forms of data to provide life sciences companies with the depth of data and direction needed to plan and implement successful access, reimbursement and asset valuation strategies for varied global markets.”
“Context Matters was created from the idea that data from market access and reimbursement can be used to inform clinical trial design,” explained Yin Ho, M.D., M.B.A., the Founder and CEO of Context Matters. “It has been extremely gratifying to watch Context Matters become a force to change the thinking of the pharmaceutical industry around how to use data to position and honestly evaluate the value of customers’ assets in a global marketplace,” said Dr. Ho. “We have been leaders in the industry and our vision will continue to live on in our products, services, and customers as we move forward with DRG.”
About Context Matters, Inc.
Context Matters modernizes and improves the process of valuing drug therapies, empowering life sciences organizations to achieve optimal reimbursement for their innovation. The Context Matters Market Access Platform (MAP) defines a new product category for global drug valuation — a configurable technology platform linking drug development and market data through a sophisticated model making comparative analysis and contextual views possible to establish reimbursement and market access. The MAP is a disruptive innovation that provides pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies direct access to the insights they need to inform key product development decisions and gain optimal reimbursement value. Visit ContextMatters.com for more information.
About Decision Resources Group
Decision Resources Group, a subsidiary of Piramal Enterprises Ltd., is the premier source for global healthcare data and market intelligence. A trusted partner for over 20 years, DRG helps companies competing in the global healthcare industry make informed business decisions. Organizations committed to the development and delivery of life-changing therapies rely on DRG’s in-house team of expert healthcare analysts, data scientists, and consultants for critical guidance. DRG products and services, built on extensive data assets and delivered by experts, empower organizations to succeed in complex healthcare markets. Please visit decisionresourcesgroup.com for more information.
KANSAS CITY, Miss., Aug. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — After becoming the second highest funded Kickstarter fitness product in history, Kansas City-based OYO Fitness has now launched their DoubleFlex Black Portable Gym on the Backer Founder crowdfunding site in Taiwan. The company’s foray into overseas markets will be followed by additional crowd funding launches on other global sites next month. This personal gym features patented SpiraFlex technology which provides the same benefits as weight training. SpiraFlex has been used by NASA astronauts on the International Space Station and in the Bowflex Revolution home gym.
A crowdfunding effort for the DoubleFlex Black Portable Gym is now underway in Taiwan.
OYO Fitness has received over $700,000 in orders from backers on Kickstarter, placing it in the top 99.9 percent of all products ever offered on this leading crowdfunding site. Since then, OYO has gone on to raise an additional $226,000 through crowdfunding site Indiegogo, bringing total crowdfunding orders to over $930,000 so far.
On the Taiwanese Backer Founder site, the DoubleFlex Black is available at a pre-order price in two configurations that provide 15 or 25 pounds of resistance and include leg and door attachments for a total body workout. Over 75 exercises can be performed in the comfort of the home, office or on the go.
“Following our success on Kickstarter and Indiegogo, we are thrilled to bring the DoubleFlex Black to other global crowdfunding sites at a discounted price before general distribution to consumers and health clubs in December,” said OYO Fitness founder and CEO Paul Francis. “The overwhelming response speaks directly to consumers’ desire for a fitness product that is both efficient and portable, and that can be used anywhere amid today’s busy lives.” The DoubleFlex Black is available for pre-order in Taiwan at: https://www.oyofitness.com.tw
Please visit our website at oyofitness.com and Facebook.com/oyofitness to learn more about OYO Fitness and their products that fits fitness into busy lifestyles.
SHENZHEN, China, Aug. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ –To cater to the increasing demand for exclusive health care services among the Chinese high net-worth, Vista, a veteran with two decades of high-end medical service experience in China integrated its best medical resources and launched VISTA THE ONE (VTO), a private health care institution targeting high net-worth individuals and families.
VTO
China’s rapid economic development has created exponentially growing numbers of high net-worth individuals. The gradual aging of this group of people has opened the “private doctors” market in China. The targeted demographic of people is more willing to spend on decreasing their health risks in the future. Specifically, to reduce the uncertain threats on their accumulated wealth – the inheritance issues caused by sudden diseases has become one of their most pressing needs.
Yang Kaixiang, Chief Operating Officer of VTO said: “The significant advantages of VTO’s core services compared to the competitive market of “private doctors” lie in Vista’s unique position and experience. Having served China’s high-end community for over 20 years, Vista has absorbed the essence of high-end private doctor services from other countries. Vista has also accumulated affluent professional experience as well as gaining a profound understanding about the customers’ personalized needs. The highly customized service and products have been widely recognized by Vista customers.”
“VTO provides its members exclusive healthcare services, for example, exclusive medical group, exclusive family follow up, 24/7 VIP hotlines”, added Yang. “In addition, standard VTO membership equips its owner global medical butler services, including top-tier doctors’ appointments around the world, VVIP services through the whole process and VIP priority access to any medical channels. VTO members are also entitled to Vista’s established world-wide emergency medical rescue service, namely the exclusive usage of Vista’s aviation medical plane.”
Besides the individual and family healthcare services for high-end VVIP customers, Vista operates the VTO member community collectively to build an ecosystem surrounding the idea of the “pan-health industry”, providing a communication platform for resource exchange, such as capital investment and business cooperation for elites.
In order to ensure that VTO members enjoy the high-end health services that matches their status, the conditions for joining are comparatively stricter, including no less than RMB 50 million net assets for an individual and no less than RMB 100 million net assets for families. VTO adopts an invitation only membership management model and applications are not accepted.
About Vista
Vista is the first medical institution to enter the “high-end medical” market in China. All its general doctors have more than 10 years of general practice training, with more than 20 years of practice experience. In 2016, Vista was named “The Most Popular Medical Institution” in China for embassies. Vista has signed up with more than 70 high-end commercial health insurance companies around the world, and has mature medical reception capabilities in 139 mainstream hospitals around the world. The Vista Air Rescue Team has accumulated more than 200 hours on its service record and is currently working as a sole medical partner in cooperation with the Chinese National Health Service Commission on the “One-Belt-One-Road” emergency rescue project, which provides Vista customers more effective medical protection in the countries along the belt and road.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Ondine Biomedical Inc. is pleased to announce that its President and Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Nicolas Loebel, was the 2017 recipient of the International Photodynamic Association’s CLINICAL PDT RESEARCH EXCELLENCE AWARD. The award was presented at the World Congress held in Coimbra, Portugal. The Coimbra World Congress was the 16th conference held by the International Photodynamic Association, marking 32 years of this global meeting. The IPA World Congresses, held every two years, are the leading PDT meetings bringing together members of the global photodynamic community in order to advance scientific and clinical research relating to photodiagnosis and photodynamic therapies.
“I am delighted to see that Dr. Loebel was duly recognized by his peers for his clinical advancement of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy and track record of research excellence. This IPA recognition is well deserved.” stated Professor Michael Wilson, inventor of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy. Professor Wilson is Emeritus Professor of Microbiology at the Eastman Dental Institute in the Faculty of Medical Services of University College London (UCL). Professor Wilson was the first to successfully treat complex biofilm infections using antimicrobial PDT, demonstrating the potency of this technology against multidrug-resistant pathogens.
Ondine Biomedical Inc. is a Canadian medical device company developing and commercializing antimicrobial photodynamic therapies to treat and prevent multidrug resistant infections. Dr. Nicolas Loebel and his team at Ondine Research Laboratories have developed 5 antimicrobial photodynamic products, including Periowave™ (oral infections), Sinuwave™ (sinus infections), MRSAid™ (nasal decolonization), Steriwave™ (skin infections) and Exelume™ (VAP reduction), positioning Ondine as the global leader in Photodisinfection based therapies. More than 300,000 patients have been treated with Ondine’s technologies globally, demonstrating excellent clinical outcomes and safety profiles. For more information, please visit: www.ondinebio.com
— Development of a new, innovative drug for Alzheimer’s disease overcoming the limits of existing medicines.
— Offering a new hope of developing a global cure for Alzheimer’s disease through technology transfer and clinical trial
SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — As the world population is aging, the top priority of leading countries is to come up with solutions that can overcome dementia. Currently, a handful of anti-dementia drugs are used. But most of them just temporarily alleviate symptoms. Recently, there has been a series of failures of global candidate drugs that have been developed based on the conventional treatment mechanism. Due to the failures, now is a good time to develop a drug based on the root cause of dementia.
Through a fruitful collaboration, scientists at KIST, Ki-Duk Park, C. Justin Lee, and Ae-Nim Pae, developed a drug candidate for dementia with excellent drug-like properties and efficacy. The drug candidate (KDS2010) was based on the previous findings that reactive astrocytes, commonly found in the brain of Alzheimer’s patients, generate and secrete GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, causing memory impairment and cognitive impairment (Nature Medicine, 2014).
This synthetic drug developed by the researchers is a substance that can reduce the amount of abnormally produced GABA. It is a drug candidate that can dramatically improve memory and cognitive impairment of Alzheimer’s disease patients.
* GABA: One of the transmitters of the central nervous system of mammals with strong inhibitory effect on neuronal excitability.
Researchers dissolved the drug in water and fed the mice that are genetically modified to mimic Alzheimer’s disease. They conducted Morris water maze and passive avoidance experiments to check the mice’s memory. They found that cognitive functions of the Alzheimer’s mice returned to the normal state. Furthermore, long-term administration of a low dose (1mg/kg) of the drug led to a long-lasting improvement in cognitive functions, even up to 4 weeks of treatment. This is in great contrast to the existing drugs, whose early efficacy is excellent but long-term administration has low efficacy. Furthermore, according to the results of verifying ADME/Tox, the drug candidate effectively transferred to the brain through oral intake and had drug-like properties without biotoxicity and any side effects on other nervous system.
The ability of candidate drug(KDS2010) to restore neuronal spike probabilities compared to pre-existing drug
This drug candidate provides a fundamental treatment option for cognitive function disorders through an entirely new treatment regime. So far it has been tested for long-term efficacy and toxicity. Currently, non-clinical trials are conducted at the GLP level. This could turn out to be a next-generation global drug for Alzheimer’s disease through immediate clinical trials.
On the 31st of May, Byeonggwon Lee, the president of KIST and Sangmin Park, CEO of MegaBioWood, an affiliate of KEMIMEDI(CEO, Geonseop Choi) had a signing ceremony for the technology transfer on “Drug Candidate for Alzheimer’s disease” at the KIST Seoul Campus. The total amount of the technology transfer contract was for 6 million US dollars, including $500,000 upfront payment and 5.5 million US dollars as a milestone technology payment. The running royalty was signed for 3% of net sales.
KIST (Korea Institute of Science and Technology)
Dr. C Justin Lee Tel. +82-2-958-6940 e-mail. cjl@kist.re.kr
TOKYO, Aug. 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — On July 31, Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) and Kawasaki City announced that they are combining forces to conduct R&D, construct an infrastructure, and implement a business promotion program for the “Program to Industrialize an Innovative Middle Molecule Drug Discovery Flow through Fusion of Computational Drug Design and Chemical Synthesis Technology”. This highly unique program incorporates computational drug design methods into the field of drug discovery for middle molecules. The program fuses computational drug design that utilizes molecular simulation and machine learning by the Super Computer TSUBAME of Tokyo Tech and unique chemical synthesis technology such as artificial peptides and artificial nucleic acids. Through industry-academia-government partnerships including corporations in Kawasaki City, the program seeks to form an innovation ecosystem that bridges basic/fundamental research and the drug discovery business, thus dramatically improving the efficiency of developing middle molecule drugs.
In order to implement this research project, the Middle Molecule IT-based Drug Discovery Laboratory (MIDL) will be opened this fiscal year in Tonomachi KING SKYFRONT, an international strategic zone located in Kawasaki City. MIDL will possess enhanced research functions for middle molecules and will be the world’s first dedicated facility in this field with state-of-the-art computational approaches. Tokyo Tech will also open a Middle Molecule IT-based Drug Discovery Laboratory (MIDL) core facility inside the university campus and establish a system in which faculty cooperate across research fields. This research program was selected for support by the FY2017 Regional Innovation and Ecosystem Formation Program of the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). The MEXT program seeks to utilize regional technology seeds and to create a successful model of industrialization with significant social impact based on global expansion from that region. During the 5-year period until March 2022, the research program will receive annual grants-in-aid of 155 million JPY. The grants will be used to conduct R&D, to construct an infrastructure for creating a regional industrial ecosystem, and to implement a business promotion program.
Middle molecules refer to peptides, nucleic acids, and other molecules with a molecular weight of about 500 to 30,000. Conventional drug discovery mainly consisted of synthesizing small molecules with a molecular weight under 500; in other words, “small molecule drug discovery.” In recent years, there has been new drug discovery using large molecules for antibodies such as the anticancer drug OPDIVO. However, industrial synthesis is difficult and poses numerous issues such as the extremely high cost incurred for creation using animal cells under advanced control conditions. Middle molecules enable chemical synthesis while offering various benefits that are similar to large molecules. As such, middle molecules are expected to fulfill a leading role in new drug discovery. The efficiency of development is significantly increased through knowledge processing, machine learning and molecular simulation that utilizes information technology (IT) for computational analysis in a variety of stages from supporting decision-making for drug discovery target molecules and selecting actual candidate compounds to determining bio-stability, membrane permeability, and toxicity.
The membrane permeation process of a cyclic peptide. Supervised molecular dynamics (SuMD) accelerates molecular simulations and SuMD is useful tool for studying rare biological events such as membrane permeation.
Tonomachi KING SKYFRONT is a global innovation hub attracting the world’s leading corporations and laboratories in the areas of health, medicine, welfare and environment. Also designated as a special zone under the country’s new growth strategy, various privileges are offered to those operating at KING SKYFRONT. Tokyo Tech research institute MIDL that is scheduled to be opened at KING SKYFRONT will construct a research system that integrates researchers from different fields and will strength partnerships among IT, chemical, and drug discovery corporations in Kawasaki City. Corporations currently participating in the research program are as follows: Institute of Industrial Promotion Kawasaki; Kawasaki Shinkin Bank; The Bank of Yokohama, Ltd.; Hamagin Research Institute, Ltd.; Innovations and Future Creation Inc.; Fast Track Initiative, Inc.; MVP Inc.; PeptiDream Inc.; Level Five Co., Ltd.; IMSBIO Co., Ltd.; Catalyst Inc.; Modulus Discovery, Inc.
Yutaka Akiyama, Professor at the School of Computing at Tokyo Tech, said, “Computational prediction for the bio-stability and cell membrane permeability of middle molecules is very challenging. By using Tokyo Tech’s world-leading supercomputing techniques and extensive experience in machine learning, and by cooperating with many related corporations, I hope that MIDL will provide the world with practical technology for accelerating middle molecule drug discovery.”
“We are excited about this collaboration with Tokyo Tech, establishing an innovative research base for rapidly growing middle molecule drug discovery at our international strategic zone “KING SKYFRONT.” In cooperation with Tokyo Tech, we would like to make every effort to form an innovation ecosystem working with corporations in Kawasaki,” said Shigeyuki Shiratori, Director of International Strategy Promotion Department, Coastal Area International Strategy Headquarters, City of Kawasaki.
By accelerating the design of middle molecule drug discovery and the development of pharmaceuticals, this research program will resolve various issues such as the increased cost of developing manufacturing methods and maintaining production lines when using biological formulations. Ultimately, for people who require new treatment methods, the program will provide the blessings of drugs at an acceptable price.
About Tokyo Institute of Technology
Tokyo Institute of Technology stands at the forefront of research and higher education as the leading university for science and technology in Japan. Tokyo Tech researchers excel in a variety of fields, such as material science, biology, computer science and physics. Founded in 1881, Tokyo Tech has grown to host 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students who become principled leaders of their fields and some of the most sought-after scientists and engineers at top companies. Embodying the Japanese philosophy of “monotsukuri,” meaning technical ingenuity and innovation, the Tokyo Tech community strives to make significant contributions to society through high-impact research. www.titech.ac.jp/english/
About Tonomachi KING SKYFRONT
“Tonomachi KING SKYFRONT”, an international strategic zone located on the opposite bank of Haneda International Airport, is an open innovation base that creates new industries from the highest standards of research and development in the fields of health, medical, welfare and the environment where global growth is expected. Currently more than 50 companies / research institutions have accumulated and started to operate. New bridge that directly links KING SKYFRONT to Haneda Airport in Tokyo, to be completed in 2020. http://www.city.kawasaki.jp/en/category/132-5-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.html
– Patent application covers integration of an external DNA sequence into the chromosome of eukaryotic cells using CRISPR
– Related patent application recently awarded in Australia; similar patents pending in other countries, favourable outcomes anticipated
DARMSTADT, Germany, Aug. 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announced the European Patent Office (EPO) has issued a “Notice of Intention to Grant” for Merck’s patent application covering the company’s CRISPR technology used in a genomic integration method for eukaryotic cells.
Merck’s patent application covers integration of an external DNA sequence into the chromosome of eukaryotic cells using CRISPR. The patent will give Merck’s CRISPR genomic integration technology broad protection, further strengthening the company’s patent portfolio.
The patent will provide Merck’s CRISPR genomic integration technology with broad protection, further strengthening the company’s patent portfolio. A related patent was approved in Australia in June 2017. Merck anticipates favourable outcomes in other countries as well, because many patent offices worldwide consider the status of related European cases to be highly relevant to the decision to grant patents.
“This is a significant and exciting decision by the EPO, and we view this announcement as recognition of Merck’s important contributions to the genome-editing field,” said Udit Batra, Member of the Merck Executive Board and CEO, Life Science. “This patent provides protection for our CRISPR technology, which will give scientists the ability to advance treatment options for the toughest medical challenges we face today.”
With Merck’s CRISPR genomic integration technology, scientists can replace a disease-associated mutation with a beneficial or functional sequence – a method important for creation of disease models and gene therapy. Scientists can also use the method to insert transgenes to enable basic research, using the technology to label endogenous proteins for visual tracking within cells, for example.
This patent application is one of Merck’s multiple CRISPR patent filings since 2012. In May 2017, Merck introduced an alternative CRISPR genome-editing method called proxy-CRISPR. Unlike other systems, the proxy-CRISPR technique allows cutting of previously unreachable cell locations, making CRISPR more efficient, flexible and specific—giving researchers more experimental options.
Merck, with its 14-year history in the genome-editing field, was the first company to offer custom biomolecules globally for genome editing (TargeTron™ RNA-guided group II introns and CompoZr™ zinc finger nucleases), driving widespread adoption by researchers. In collaboration with the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Merck was also the first company to manufacture arrayed CRISPR libraries covering the entire human genome, allowing researchers to explore more questions about disease and develop cures faster. Availability of arrayed CRISPR libraries is an important advancement in genome editing and reinforces the company’s leadership position.
The company also supports development of gene- and cell-based therapeutics and manufactures viral vectors, in addition to conducting basic genome-editing research. In 2016, Merck launched an initiative to advance research in novel treatment modalities, from genome editing to gene medicine manufacturing, through a dedicated team and enhanced resources. This venture further solidifies the company’s commitment to the genome-editing field.
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About Merck Merck is a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life science and performance materials. Around 50,000 employees work to further develop technologies that improve and enhance life – from biopharmaceutical therapies to treat cancer or multiple sclerosis, cutting-edge systems for scientific research and production, to liquid crystals for smartphones and LCD televisions. In 2016, Merck generated sales of €15 billion in 66 countries.
Founded in 1668, Merck is the world’s oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed corporate group. Merck holds the global rights to the “Merck” name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the company operates as EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma and EMD Performance Materials.
