Patent Office Grants BlueAllele Patent for Advanced Gene Editing Technology

On Aug. 17, 2021, BlueAllele, a US-based biotechnology company specializing in transformational gene correction technologies, announced that is has been granted US Patent No. 11,091,756 (the ‘756 Patent) by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for its PALIDON gene-editing technology platform.

The ‘756 Patent covers claims on methods using PALIDON to edit genes in any cell type and system (e.g., animal cells for in-vitro or in-vivo applications) as well as its use for correcting any gene in the genome. The patent therefore provides broad coverage for the technology’s use in the development and advancement of human gene correction technologies.

PALIDON’s repair templates are built with a palindromic, bi-directional structure designed to leverage the high rate of non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) repair that is observed in cells, while at the same time preserving the ability of cells to precisely correct damaged messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein. The repair templates are designed to be compatible with existing gene editing nucleases and delivery systems, thus PALIDON is suitable for targeting many loss-of-function and gain-of-function monogenic diseases, the company stated in a press release.

With its palindromic design, PALIDON can convert byproduct (reverse integration) into a functional event, which contributes to enhanced efficacy. When PALIDON is integrated within introns, any potential error introduced by the NHEJ pathway can be tolerated, which in turn can minimize unwanted byproducts. PALIDON can also capture natural expressions from endogenous genes, which gives it precise control of protein levels with stable and durable edits.

“We are pleased that the USPTO has recognized the significance of our PALIDON technology and granted this patent. Protecting intellectual property is a critical part of our business model, particularly as we continue to develop novel and innovative methods for achieving precise gene correction,” said Nicholas J. Baltes, BlueAllele’s chief scientific officer, in the press release. “Further, the grant of this new patent highlights the unmet need for improving the precision, efficacy, and versatility of insertion-based gene editing techniques. As the examiner of the ‘756 Patent noted, PALIDON ‘expands the field of CRISPR technology in a novel way that was not recognized by prior researchers in this area.’”

“This patent demonstrates our expertise and commitment to unlocking the full potential of gene editing for treating genetic diseases,” said Joseph B. Saluri, BlueAllele’s CEO in the press release. “We are excited to continue advancing our PALIDON platform, along with the other innovative gene correction technologies in our R&D pipeline.”

Source: BlueAllele