Precision BioSciences Awarded Patent for Genetically Modifying Cells by the United States Patent Office

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Precision BioSciences, Inc., a leader in the field of genome engineering, today announced that it has been issued U.S. Patent Number 8,377,674 (“the ‘674 Patent”) by the United States Patent Office. The issued claims relate to methods used for producing genetically-modified cells utilizing proprietary genome editing tools. These tools and resulting cells are made possible via Precision’s next-generation genome engineering technologies, known collectively as the Directed Nuclease Editor or DNE.

“This newly issued patent provides the company with broad claims to many of the methods used by DNE nucleases to modify eukaryotic cells.”

Precision’s DNE technology allows for highly precise gene editing with engineered nucleases, a technique named Method of the Year by Nature Methods. The ‘674 Patent greatly strengthens the Company’s ability to protect and capitalize on cells modified with DNE genome editing nucleases. Precision now controls a growing patent estate consisting of thirteen issued genome engineering patents in the U.S. and one in Europe.

“Our team is thrilled that the U.S. Patent Office has granted patent protection to this critical contribution to the genome engineering field,” stated Jeff Smith, co-inventor and Precision BioSciences’ Chief Scientific Officer. “This newly issued patent provides the company with broad claims to many of the methods used by DNE nucleases to modify eukaryotic cells.”

About Precision BioSciences

Precision BioSciences’ mission is to continually provide, improve, and enable the world’s most powerful genome engineering technology. Precision’s proprietary Directed Nuclease Editor^TM (DNE) technology enables the production of genome editing enzymes that can insert, remove, modify, and regulate essentially any gene in mammalian or plant cells.

Precision BioSciences’ vision is to be the conduit through which the world’s greatest genome engineering challenges are solved. Precision has successfully utilized its DNE technology to create innovative products in partnerships with many of the world’s largest biopharmaceutical, agbiotech, and animal research firms. Internally, Precision is developing applications of DNE in biological production and human therapeutics. For additional information, please visit www.precisionbiosciences.com.