University of California granted fifth CRISPR patent

The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a new CRISPR/Cas9 patent to the University of California ( UC), the University of Vienna and microbiologist Emmanuelle Charpentier.

In an announcement today, May 28, UC said it had been issued a patent (US number 10,301,651) covering methods of modulating DNA transcription using the CRISPR/Cas9 system.

CRISPR is a technology that can be used to edit genes within organisms. It has a wide variety of applications which include the treatment of diseases, crop engineering and biological research.

UC said the patent covers techniques that enable sequence-specific repression or activation of gene expression in all types of cells, including both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

“These unique methods form a toolset for controlling gene expression, effectively enabling genes to be ‘turned up or down’,” the university said.

Eldora Ellison, a director at Sterne Kessler Goldstein & Fox and the lead patent strategist on CRISPR/Cas9 matters for UC, said she anticipates UC’s “robust portfolio of IP surrounding its CRISPR/Cas9 inventions will continue to expand”.

"Today's patent further builds on the numerous CRISPR-Cas9 techniques covered by UC's patents and the university is committed to ensuring the technology is used to benefit society," Ellison said.

The ‘651 patent is the fifth in UC’s CRISPR/Cas9 portfolio. In April, the USPTO issued a patent for the use of the gene-editing technology in a single guide format to the university and Charpentier.

The patent, (US number 10,266,850), “covers uses in any cellular or non-cellular environment and delivery of the CRISPR/Cas9 components by any methods”.

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