HuidaGene (Shanghai) Biotechnology Co., Ltd, a China-based biotech firm, has secured patent approval from the China National Intellectual Property Administration for its proprietary DNA editing system, CRISPR-Cas12i, also known as the Cas12Max system.
The patent encompasses the hfCas12Max nuclease, which HuidaGene independently developed, as well as the broader CRISPR-Cas12i system and its applications in DNA editing. Notably, this patent was also granted in the U.S. in May 2023.
The CRISPR-Cas12 system represents a novel approach that differentiates itself from the traditional CRISPR-Cas9 system in both evolution and taxonomy, allowing it to operate independently of the CRISPR-Cas9 patent landscape. HuidaGene’s advancements include the development of the xCas12i nuclease variant (hfCas12Max) through protein engineering modifications, which significantly enhance targeted editing activity while minimizing off-target effects. This innovation addresses a critical challenge associated with existing CRISPR systems, such as Cas9, Cas12a, Cas12b, and Cas2e. Currently, HuidaGene is leveraging hfCas12Max in the development of in vivo gene therapies targeting conditions affecting the liver, nerves, and muscles.- Flcube.com
