AsianScientist (Dec. 22, 2017) – Merck, a leading science and technology company, has been issued a “Notice of Eligibility for Grant” for their CRISPR technology by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore.
“Singapore’s notice of patent allowance for Merck’s CRISPR integration technology is yet another reinforcement of our intellectual property,” said Mr. Udit Batra, Member of the Merck Executive Board and CEO, Life Science. “We look forward to receiving additional grants for similar patent applications in several other countries as we collaborate with the global scientific community to find new treatments for diseases.”
Merck is now licensing these foundational integration patent allowances for applications including basic science research, agricultural biotech and therapeutic use.
This forthcoming, fundamental patent in Singapore, entitled “CRISPR-BASED GENOME MODIFICATION AND REGULATION,” covers chromosomal integration, or cutting of the chromosomal sequence of eukaryotic cells (such as mammalian and plant cells) and insertion of an external or donor DNA sequence into those cells using CRISPR.
Once issued, the Singapore patent will extend the protection of Merck’s CRISPR integration technology into Singapore, further strengthening the company’s patent portfolio. Merck also has patent filings for its insertion CRISPR method in the US, Brazil, China, India, Israel, Japan and South Korea. In June 2017, Merck was awarded its first CRISPR patent by the Australian patent office. That award was followed by related patent awards by European and Canadian Patent Offices.
Merck has established a Bioethics Advisory Panel to provide guidance for research in which its businesses are involved, including research on or using genome editing.
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Source: Merck; Photo: Pixabay.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.
