Isogenic cell lines to be generated using Horizon’s rAAV gene-editing platform
The agreement focuses on the use of Horizon’s GENESIS™ precision genome editing technology to reconstitute a specific mutation in the CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) protein which is associated with approximately 90% of cystic fibrosis patients, in the endogenous genome of a lung cancer cell line.
Under the terms of the agreement, RFUMS will receive a perpetual academic research use license to the materials. Horizon will retain rights for commercial distribution of the cell lines to third parties, including biotech and pharmaceutical companies. Horizon also intends to develop, through its Horizon Diagnostics division, commercially available reference standards based on the modified cell line, for quality assessment of cystic fibrosis diagnostic tests. The project is funded through a grant awarded to Drs Neil Bradbury and Robert Bridges at RFUMS by Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics Inc.
“Approval for the first CFTR therapeutic was recently granted by the FDA, however, fewer than 5% of patients carry the genetic profile for which this drug was approved. We hope that by creating this tool targeting the more common CFTR mutation, we can ultimately improve the lives of a far greater proportion of cystic fibrosis sufferers,” explained Dr Neil Bradbury, lead investigator at RFUMS. “Studies using non-human cell models have identified several, potential CFTR therapeutics from high-throughput screens. We hope to improve the efficiency of this process by creating a more informative screening tool with Horizon’s isogenic disease model cell lines, which we believe will also be useful for the broader research community.”
Dr Darrin Disley, CEO, Horizon, said: “Horizon’s precision genome editing technology, which enables the recapitulation of genetic mutations in cell models with unprecedented accuracy, exactly as they occur in the primary tissue, has an important role to play in progressing research in all therapeutic areas. Horizon’s mission is to shape the next generation of personalized medicines across many different therapeutic areas. We’re very pleased that RFUMS chose to partner with Horizon on this program.”
Horizon’s X-MAN™ isogenic cell line catalogue currently consists of over 400 different genetically defined paired mutant and normal cell lines, and includes cancer and HIV related cell lines. www.horizondiscovery.com/uploads/horizon-downloads/horizon-xman-catalogue.pdf
Cystic fibrosis is a fatal genetic disease that causes serious lung infections and premature death. It affects approximately 70,000 people worldwide. For more information please visit www.cff.org
About Horizon Discovery
Horizon Discovery Limited (Horizon) is a leading provider of research tools to support translational genomics research and the development of personalized medicines. The Company’s proprietary technology, GENESIS™, is the world’s most precise genome editing technology. Using GENESIS, Horizon is able to alter any endogenous gene sequence of a human or mammalian cell-line quickly, reliably and without introducing unwanted and confounding genotypes and/or phenotypes.
Horizon has harnessed GENESIS™ to create over 400 X-MAN™ cell lines, the world’s first source of genetically-defined and patient-relevant human cell lines, accurately modeling the disease-causing mutations found in cancer patients. These ‘patients-in-a-test-tube’ are being used by academic and industry leaders to identify the effect of individual genetic mutations on drug activity, patient responsiveness, and resistance, leading to the successful prediction of which patient sub-groups will respond to currently-available and future drug treatments. This enables the design of shorter, more focused, and less expensive clinical trials, ultimately providing the tools to identify the ‘right drugs’ for the ‘right patients’ based upon the unique genetic mutations that define their disease.
In addition to the X-MAN cell lines, Horizon provides GENESIS™ and X-MAN™ derived products and services, with industrial application in: bio-pharmaceutical process optimization; clinical diagnostic development; drug discovery & development; and the provision of reference standards for genomic-based clinical research platforms.
GENESIS and X-MAN are registered trademarks of Horizon Discovery Limited.
About the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is the world’s leader in the search for a cure for cystic fibrosis. The Foundation funds more CF research than any other organization, and nearly every CF drug available today was made possible because of Foundation support. Based in Bethesda, Md., the Foundation also supports and accredits a national care center network that has been recognized by the National Institutes of Health as a model of care for a chronic disease. The CF Foundation is a donor-supported nonprofit organization.
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Contacts:
At Horizon:
Dr Darrin M Disley
CEO
Tel: +44 (0) 1223 655 587
Email: d.disley@horizondiscovery.com
Media enquiries:
Katie Odgaard
Zyme Communications
Tel: +44 (0)7787 502 947
Email katie.odgaard@zymecommunications.com
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