Cellectis Sub-Licenses its Homologous Recombination Technology to GlaxoSmithKline

Cellectis SA has announced that it has granted GlaxoSmithKline a worldwide, non-exclusive sub-license to a patent family relating to a process for the specific replacement or insertion of a gene in a receiver genome by homologous recombination.

According to Cellectis, this technology is the world standard in gene targeting and is used to precisely substitute, delete or add genetic sequences at a chosen location in a genome. In particular, it is often used in the life science industry and academic research to generate mouse models with altered genomes to study gene function and/or to mimic human diseases.

The technology was invented at the Institut Pasteur, which then granted Cellectis worldwide exclusive rights to the umbrella patent family that covers the platform.

The license agreement grants GlaxoSmithKline the right to use Cellectis' patented technologies for in vitro and in vivo modifications and manipulations of genetic material. The financial terms and conditions of the agreement were not disclosed.

Cellectis devotes significant efforts to promoting the adoption of its technology as a worldwide standard, wherever it may apply. This license agreement is a direct implementation of the company's strategy. Cellectis' technologies are thus inserted into the processes of the pharmaceutical industry and into its value chain.

"We are delighted to have signed this license agreement with GlaxoSmithKline, which will deploy this powerful, patented technology for the development of in vivo models in their pharmaceutical R&D programs", commented David J.D. Sourdive, Vice President Corporate Development at Cellectis.

Sourdive continued, "I believe the industry is benefiting greatly from our rational approach, which focuses on targeted (rather than random) modifications. This deal with GlaxoSmithKline also demonstrates our continuing ability to deliver on our objectives and timeline for 2007".