Firm will leverage the invention in its products and services related to evaluating drug responses.
Horizon Discovery entered into a patent-licensing agreement with the University of Torino relating to the use of the university’s human isogenic cell lines in predicting the response of drugs targeted at the genetic make-up of individual cancer patient populations. Under the the worldwide, exclusive deal, Horizon will incorporate this invention into its current products and services. The firm also assumes the prosecution and sublicensing control of the patent estate.
The discoveries that led to the invention were made by scientists at the department of oncological sciences at the University of Torino Medical School. The invention relates to the use of panels of precisely engineered isogenic human cell lines that accurately model one or more genetic mutations seen in cancer patients. The models have been shown to predict clinical outcomes to novel treatments, according to the researchers.
“The key to generating such patient-relevant and predictive disease models is the precise targeting of defined endogenous genes using highly efficient homologous-recombination techniques such as Genesis™, Horizon’s own gene-engineering platform,” remarks Chris Torrance, CEO. “This new IP covers the use of endogenous gene-targeted human disease models generated via homologous recombination methodologies in numerous aspects of targeted and personalized drug discovery, including clinical trial selection and the identification of drug combination therapies to overcome inherent or acquired genetic-based patient resistance. In the future all of Horizon’s X-MAN™ products and screening services will be provided with an extended license to employ these new inventions.”