Regeneron, Intellia expand collaboration for CRISPR-based therapies

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (REGN) and Intellia Therapeutics (NTLA) announced an expanded research collaboration to develop additional in vivo CRISPR-based gene editing therapies focused on neurological and muscular diseases. This builds on the success of the companies’ existing collaboration and continues to combine both companies’ deep biology and technology expertise. The collaboration will leverage Regeneron’s proprietary antibody-targeted adeno-associated virus vectors and delivery systems and Intellia’s proprietary Nme2 CRISPR/Cas9 systems adapted for viral vector delivery and designed to precisely modify a target gene. Under the terms of the expanded agreement, the companies will initially research two in vivo non-liver targets. Intellia will lead the design of the editing methodology and Regeneron will lead the design of the targeted viral vector delivery approach. Each company will have the opportunity to lead potential development and commercialization of product candidates for one target, and the company that is not leading development and commercialization will have the option to enter into a co-development and co-commercialization agreement for the target.