Shoreline to Acquire Editas’ iNK Cell Franchise and Related Gene Editing Technologies

Editas Medicine said it has entered into a definitive agreement with Shoreline Biosciences for Shoreline to license Editas Medicine’s proprietary SLEEK and AsCas12a gene editing technologies and acquire Editas Medicine’s preclinical gene edited induced pluripotent stem cell derived natural killer cell (iNK) programs and related manufacturing technologies.

Shoreline Biosciences is developing next-generation cellular immunotherapies based on iPSCs utilizing proprietary iNK and macrophage (iMACs) platforms.

Under the terms of the agreement, Shoreline will obtain an exclusive license to Editas Medicine’s interest in SLEEK gene editing knock-in technology for use in Shoreline’s iNK platform and for oncology in its iMACs platform, and on a non-exclusive basis for iMACs in other indications. Shoreline will also receive a non-exclusive license for the use of Editas Medicine’s engineered AsCas12a enzyme.

As part of the transaction, Shoreline will acquire EDIT-202, Editas’ preclinical multiplexed edited iNK cell medicine for the potential treatment of solid tumors, as well as an additional iNK program under development and certain related manufacturing technologies. The acquisition of the company’s wholly owned oncology assets by Shoreline is part of Editas Medicine’s strategic portfolio reprioritization, including its focus on the development of in vivo gene edited medicines.

“The acquisition of our allogeneic iNK franchise by Shoreline is highly aligned with our strategic portfolio reprioritization, as it allows us to sharpen our efforts on advancing current clinical stage trials and focus our resources on in vivo fit-for-purpose therapeutic construction and development,” said Gilmore O’Neill, president and CEO, Editas Medicine.

Shoreline will pay Editas an upfront payment at the close of the transaction. Additionally, Editas is eligible to receive future development and commercial milestone and royalty payments for each of the iNK programs and for future programs engineered with the gene editing technologies.

“The addition of Editas Medicine’s novel gene editing SLEEK technology, combined with the use of a high efficiency and high fidelity proprietary CRISPR enzyme, and the other assets from Editas Medicine’s iNK franchise, strengthens our portfolio and ability to create next generation immunotherapies for patients with cancer,” said Kleanthis Xanthopoulos, chairman and CEO, Shoreline Biosciences.

Author: Rare Daily Staff