EPO to grant a patent broadly covering CRISPR genome editing across all cell types

USA-based CRISPR Therapeutics (Nasdaq: CRSP) says that the European Patent Office (EPO) has announced its intention to grant a patent broadly covering CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing for uses across all cell types.

The claims are directed to the CRISPR/Cas9 single-guide gene editing system for uses in both non-cellular and cellular settings, including in cells from vertebrate animals such as human or mammalian cells – as well as composition claims for use in any setting, including claims for use in a method of therapeutic treatment of a patient.

This news is important for a variety of reasons – notably that the European Union is not swayed by the US interference decision; it is a wide ranging and dominating international property (IP) regardless of what IP anyone else has in the EU; it represents significant market value ex-US in diseases which CRISPR is targeting.