Lexicon Genetics licenses Cellectis' homologous recombination technology

By E. Janene Geiss

Philadelphia, July 11 - Lexicon Genetics Inc. said Tuesday that Cellectis SA has granted Lexicon an exclusive, worldwide license under the patents and patent applications covering Cellectis' technology for the specific replacement or insertion of a gene in a eukaryotic genome.

The license applies to the use of Cellectis' technology in combination with internal ribosome entry site or isogenic DNA technology in the generation of genetically modified mice, according to a company news release.

Cellectis said that its technology is frequently used to insert markers of gene expression or to generate mice in which the human counterpart to a mouse gene has been inserted, or "knocked in."

Lexicon said it already held a non-exclusive license under these patent rights, and has used this technology in the generation of knockout mice as a complement to Lexicon's existing suite of patented gene targeting technologies.

The new license grants Lexicon exclusive rights to make, use, sell and import genetically engineered mice generated using this technology in combination with internal ribosome entry site or isogenic DNA technology, subject to nonexclusive rights previously granted by Cellectis, with the exclusive right to grant sublicenses, officials said.

The term of the exclusive license is for the life of the patents. The technology is covered by U.S. Patent Nos. 6,528,313, 6,638,768 and 6,528,314 and related patents and patent applications in the United States and other countries.

Lexicon said it was granted an exclusive license under patents and patent applications covering internal ribosome entry site technology for genetically modified mice from Stem Cell Sciences plc in November 2005. Internal ribosome entry site technology is commonly used to enhance the accuracy and versatility of gene expression in genetically altered mice and cultured stem cells.

Lexicon said it obtained an exclusive license under the patent rights to isogenic DNA technology in 1996.

Lexicon's intellectual property estate now includes exclusive rights under 12 U.S. patents related to its gene targeting technologies.

Lexicon Genetics is a biopharmaceutical company based in The Woodlands, Texas.

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