On: Alternative CRISPR system could improve genome editing

[benchtobedside]

Can anyone comment on how this may impact the IP landscape for CRISPR? [0]

[0] http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/42595/...

[josaka → benchtobedside]

Zhang's patent US 8,697,359 is limited to techniques in which "the Cas9 protein cleaves the DNA molecule." If this new technique does not use the Cas9 protein in this fashion, it would potentially provide a design-around, meaning that the benefit of the patented idea can be obtained without infringing the patent.

New patents may have issued that are not so limited.

[benchtobedside → josaka]

Thanks for clarifying.

Further to this comment from [0]: "But with Cfp1, the stakes of that specific patent dispute go down. A lab or company could use Cfp1 without infringing on the CRISPR/Cas9 patent. "

[0] http://www.wired.com/2015/09/war-genome-editing-just-got-lot...

[dekhn → benchtobedside]

Zero impact on CRISPR IP except that if it really does have the properties they're claiming, I don't think people will even use CRISPR.

[dekhn → dekhn]

Minor correction. The new system is a form of CRISPR. The impact would be on Cas9 IP.