Sangamo BioSciences, Inc announced that a key research milestone has been achieved in its research and license agreement with Genentech, Inc, a wholly-owned member of the Roche Group, for the generation of cell lines with novel characteristics for pharmaceutical protein production purposes using Sangamo's proprietary zinc finger DNA-binding protein nuclease (ZFN) technology. Genentech scientists demonstrated the successful knockout of two preselected genes in a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line. The milestone achievement triggered a payment from Genentech to Sangamo.

"Achievement of this milestone demonstrates the progress under our agreement with Genentech," said Edward Lanphier, Sangamo's president and chief executive officer. "Our ZFN technology is currently being used by major players in pharmaceutical protein production to streamline the process of cell line production, increase the yield and improve the characteristics of biologic drugs, such as antibodies, that are manufactured in mammalian cells."

"Our ZFNs provide the gold standard technology for specifically editing target genes in mammalian cells," stated Philip Gregory, Sangamo's vice president of research. "Moreover, the efficiency of this approach obviates the need for selection markers, thereby enabling the rapid generation of cell lines in which multiple genes have been knocked out. Our proven ability to quickly and selectively knock out multiple genes in the same cell line creates endless possibilities for biopharmaceutical companies to improve their manufacturing capability."

Sangamo BioSciences is focused on researching and developing zinc finger DNA-binding protein (ZFP) technology for therapeutic gene regulation and modification.