Vertex and CRISPR Therapeutics announce research partnership

US-based Vertex Pharmaceuticals and CRISPR Therapeutics have agreed a research collaboration to discover and develop new treatments for genetic causes of human diseases.

In announcement today, October 26, Vertex said that the two companies would be entering into a “strategic research collaboration”.

The collaboration will use CRISPR’s gene editing technology CRISPR-Cas9.

The four year project will initially focus on mutations and genes which are known to contribute and cause cystic fibrosis and sickle cell disease.

Vertex will have exclusive rights to license up to six new CRISPR-Cas9 based treatments that develop from the collaboration. There is a potential for CRISPR to earn royalty payments on any future sales.

Vertex has also made an “up-front commitment” of $105 million to CRISPR to help fund the project.

David Altshuler, executive vice president at Vertex, said: “CRISPR-Cas9 is an important scientific breakthrough that holds significant promise for the future.”

Rodger Novak, chief executive officer of CRISPR Therapeutics, said: “Vertex has a track record of developing innovative medicines for cystic fibrosis, making them a great partner to accelerate the therapeutic promise of gene editing.”