Mammoth Biosciences, which is working to leverage novel CRISPR-Cas systems, has laid off the bulk of its diagnostics teams as it puts a greater focus on its work in therapeutics, Endpoints News reported.
The company laid off 35 people, or less than 20 percent of its staff in March, according to the report. Endpoints confirmed its report with Mammoth CEO Trevor Martin.
“Mammoth has been developing its proprietary platform of novel CRISPR systems across a broad range of potential applications. As part of a strategic review of our business and the market landscape, we made the decision to prioritize investment in our therapeutics business and streamline diagnostics,” Mammoth said in a statement emailed to RARE Daily. “This difficult decision meant that we had to part ways with some of our talented colleagues. However, this strategic prioritization strengthens Mammoth’s ability to execute on key value drivers as we advance our pipeline of in vivo gene editing therapeutics and deliver on our mission to transform patients’ lives with potential one-time curative therapies.”
Martin told endpoints the company made the decision to “streamline” its diagnostics work and focus on its therapeutic development following a strategic review of its business.
About 15 people remain in its diagnostic research and development area.
Mammoth is addressing the current challenges of CRISPR-Cas systems and its use by using its proprietary discovery platform to identify novel Cas proteins that have unique properties that can expand the targets of gene editing therapies.
Photo: Trevor Martin, co-founder and CEO of Mammoth
Editor’s note: This story was updated to include a comment from Mammoth.
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