Sangamo and Chroma Partner to Evaluate and Develop Zinc Finger Proteins for Epigenetic Editing

Rare Daily Staff

Sangamo Therapeutics and Chroma Medicine have entered into a research evaluation, option, and license agreement to develop epigenetic medicines leveraging zinc finger proteins for sequence-specific DNA recognition.

Sangamo has built and validated the world’s largest library of zinc finger proteins (ZFPs), deploying them to address numerous therapeutically relevant targets. Advancing the transformative potential of epigenetic editing, Chroma is expanding the versatility of its platform by leveraging Sangamo’s ZFPs. Following a research evaluation period, Chroma has the option to license the ZFPs for potential worldwide development and commercialization of epigenetic medicines for certain therapeutic targets.

“We believe our ability to rapidly design and engineer highly potent and specific ZFPs can provide unique and highly valuable capability beyond what is available with competing technologies,” said Jason Fontenot, chief scientific officer at Sangamo. “We believe that this work will further validate the importance of zinc fingers as an ideal platform to support epigenetic editing.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Chroma will evaluate novel Sangamo ZFPs for specified collaboration targets outside of the central nervous system in exchange for an upfront technology access payment. If Chroma exercises its option for any or all targets, Sangamo would be eligible to receive an option exercise payment, in addition to potential development and commercial milestone payments, as well as royalties on any Chroma products incorporating the licensed ZFPs. Chroma will lead and fund all research, development, manufacture, and commercialization of products incorporating the licensed Sangamo ZFPs.

“Leveraging Sangamo’s leading zinc finger protein engineering capabilities expands our platform optionality, further positioning Chroma to progress a broad portfolio of epigenetic editing therapeutics that spans several indications,” said Vic Myer, president and chief scientific officer of Chroma.

Photo: Jason Fontenot, chief scientific officer at Sangamo