Mammoth inks near $700 million deal for its proprietary ultra-small CRISPR systems

Now three years since its founding, US biotech Mammoth Biosciences, which is building the next generation of CRISPR products to cure and detect disease, has signed its first major R&D deal.

Mammoth has entered a partnership with Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: VRTX) to develop in vivo gene-editing therapies for two genetic diseases using Mammoth’s next-generation CRISPR systems.

“We believe our novel ultra-small CRISPR systems have the potential to be game changers when it comes to systemic and targeted delivery of in vivo gene-editing therapies,” said Peter Nell, chief business officer and head of therapeutic strategy at Mammoth Biosciences, adding: “The combination of Mammoth’s unique technology with Vertex’s unmatched experience in serious disease research and development will only accelerate programs with the goal of reaching patients with high unmet medical need.”