ERS Genomics Limited and DefiniGEN Ltd announced today a license agreement to provide DefiniGEN with access to ERS Genomic’s CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology patents.

DefiniGEN will combine their best-in-class iPSC (induced Pluripotent Stem Cell) differentiation platform with CRISPR/Cas9 technology to generate a range of innovative preclinical human models.

"The company’s gene editing technical portfolio has been further strengthened by licensing of this cutting-edge technology and will allow us to produce a range of innovative and unique preclinical human models for the drug discovery sector," stated Dr Marcus Yeo, CEO of DefiniGEN. "These tools will enable our customers to optimise the preclinical development of therapeutics for multiple rare liver diseases, Type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)."

"The outlook for gene edited iPSCs to become a major contributor to new drug discovery and safer more effective treatments istremendous," commented Eric Rhodes, CEO of ERS Genomics. "DefiniGEN has been a leader in the iPSC space for several years now and we’re thrilled to see them bolster their platform through this agreement."

With this license, DefiniGEN has the right to produce CRISPR-edited cell models, strengthening its core capabilities and keeping DefiniGEN at the forefront of metabolic disease modelling.

Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.