Aldevron and Integrated DNA Technologies have announced a license agreement in which Aldevron will manufacture and distribute a S. pyogenes Cas9 variant (SpyFiTM Cas9 Nuclease), which is patented by IDT. The product will be manufactured for research, clinical, and commercial use.  

“IDT continues to be an innovator for the biotechnology industry. We are excited to expand our partnership,” said Michael Chambers, Aldevron’s chief executive officer. “This license will accelerate gene editing programs and help bring transformative treatments to patients.” 

An advisory panel at the National Institutes of Health recently approved the first clinical trial using CRISPR-Cas9, which is planned to start by the end of the year. The project uses gene editing to augment cancer therapy by modifying a patient’s T cells. 

Aldevron anticipates clinical grade SpyFi Cas9 Nuclease to be available in Q4 2018.