Japanese multinational firm Ricoh has signed a nonexclusive licensing agreement with ERS Genomics in the United States and Japan that gives Ricoh access to the foundational CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology patents.
Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh provides integrated digital services and print and imaging solutions. In 2022, the company completed its acquisition of Elixirgen Scientific adding several important core technologies to its portfolio. Specifically, the acquisition added technologies for rapid and efficient differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells as well as for mRNA design, production, and management. The company intends to use these technologies to support drug discovery through the manufacture and delivery of differentiated cells. Ricoh also plans to expand the application areas of its Elixirgen-acquired assets by leveraging its expertise in digital and artificial intelligence technologies.
Adding CRISPR technology into the mix will enable the company to edit cells in ways that enhance or diminish specific cellular functions. They will be able create more reliable disease models that could help shorten drug development timelines and increase success rates.
ERS Genomics provides licensing access to the foundational CRISPR/Cas9 CVC intellectual property held by Emmanuelle Charpentier, PhD. Last year, the company signed a nonexclusive license agreement with Santa Cruz Biotechnology that grants them access to the ERS CRISPR/Cas9 patent portfolio. Similarly, in 2017, Charles River Laboratories licensed the CRISPR technology from ERS Genomics with an eye toward providing robust end-to-end genome editing services for their customers.
