Cellectis SA, the French genome engineering specialist, has announced that Bayer HealthCare, the healthcare subgroup of Bayer, has acquired a license to use Cellectis’ patent family WO9011354 covering homologous recombination aimed to introduce new features into the genome. This global license includes the use of the Institut Pasteur technology relating to homologous recombination to obtain and utilize certain transgenic animals in pharmaceutical research, in all countries, including Japan. The terms of the contract have not been disclosed.

When Cellectis was founded, it was granted exclusive rights to this patent family owned by the Institut Pasteur. The technology covered in these patents represents a breakthrough in genetic recombination and it has since become a useful tool for specific aspects and phases of the drug discovery process.

“Our licensing strategy is central to our business model and allows us to receive fair payment for the scientific and industrial advancements made possible by this technology. It continues to have a strong influence on the evolution of the company, as demonstrated by Cellectis’ progress in the last ten years, and is an important component of our future growth strategy,” said Cellectis’ CEO André Choulika.