ToolGen, a leader in gene editing technology, announced on the 8th that it has filed a patent infringement lawsuit in the Hague District Court in the Netherlands against Lonza Netherlands BV, a global CDMO company responsible for the core production of the world's first gene editing treatment, CASGEVY.
This lawsuit is based on the judgment that Lonza is seriously infringing on the patent rights by unauthorized use of ToolGen's CRISPR Cas9 RNP source technology (patent number EP 4 357 457) in producing Vertex's 'Caszevi' at its state-of-the-art facility in the Netherlands.
ToolGen's patent describes a platform technology that directly delivers a CRISPR Cas9 RNP complex formed by combining Cas9 protein and guide RNA in an optimal molar ratio into cells, playing a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of gene editing. According to ToolGen, Lonza is infringing on the patent by using the technology described in the ToolGen patent in the production of "Caszebi."
Developed using CRISPR technology, 'Caszevi' is the world's first gene-editing treatment, offering a new therapeutic option for patients with sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia. It has been approved and commercialized in the UK, US, and Europe, and Lonza manufactures 'Caszevi' at its Dutch facility under a long-term supply agreement with Vertex.
This Dutch lawsuit is an extension of a patent infringement lawsuit filed in the UK last April against companies involved in the sale and production of "Casjebi." By directly targeting key European production sites, this strategic move reaffirms the importance of the company's core technology and further strengthens intellectual property protection.
ToolGen CEO Yoo Jong-sang emphasized, “ToolGen’s CRISPR Cas9 RNP source technology played a key role behind the successful commercialization of the innovative treatment ‘Casjevi’,” and added, “This lawsuit is not intended to hinder patients’ access to treatment, but aims to build a mutually beneficial ecosystem by recognizing the legitimate value of ToolGen’s intellectual property rights and securing fair compensation.”
ToolGen is a leading company in gene editing technology. ToolGen was founded by a renowned scientist in gene editing, Dr. Jin-Soo Kim in 1999. ToolGen is the only one company that successfully developed ZFN, TALEN and CRISPR-Cas9. |