Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT) has entered into a licensing agreement with SeQure Dx, a specialist in off-target analysis for gene modification.
According to a release, this deal will enhance IDT’s comprehensive CRISPR portfolio, which ranges from research-use-only (RUO) to cGMP solutions, covering design to analysis. The collaboration allows IDT to offer cell and gene therapy developers complete off-target analysis services through all stages of CRISPR-based therapeutic programs, integrating SeQure Dx’s GUIDE-seq technology with IDT’s acclaimed rhAmpSeq™ CRISPR Analysis System.
“Off‑target effects continue to be a primary concern in genome editing and are still not fully understood,” said Sandy Ottensmann, vice president and general manager of Gene Writing & Editing Business Unit at IDT. “With an increasing pipeline of CRISPR-based therapeutics that are entering and progressing in trials, the delivery of safer and more efficient genome editing platforms to the clinic becomes paramount. IDT’s expanded off‑target analysis capabilities demonstrate a transformational shift we are making to support cell and gene therapy developers in their transition to the clinic, in a drive to make life-changing therapies as safe as possible.”
“SeQure’s best-in-class off‑target nomination and confirmation platforms will seamlessly complement IDT’s CRISPR-based portfolio of products and services,” added Dr. Keith Joung, scientific founder of SeQure Dx. “By combining SeQure’s & IDT’s innovative technologies, this will enhance precision and safety in gene editing, bringing transformative solutions to researchers and patients worldwide.”
The licensing agreement with SeQure Dx broadens IDT’s off-target analysis capabilities, granting access to SeQure Dx’s cutting-edge sequencing technology, GUIDE-seq.
Developed by Dr. Joung’s team at Massachusetts General Hospital, GUIDE-seq is a widely adopted off-target assay, serving as a crucial tool for the development and assessment of CRISPR-based therapeutics. Utilized extensively by academic researchers, biotech firms, and pharmaceutical companies, GUIDE-seq offers genome-wide, unbiased identification of double-stranded breaks via sequencing. This technology has played a significant role in the development and launch of several successful therapeutics.
IDT’s CRISPR Innovation Journey
In response to the manufacturing challenges and to address development in a capacity-constrained market for CGMP/Q7 services, IDT launched a state-of-the-art therapeutic oligonucleotide manufacturing facility in the U.S. last year.
The new facility will support the increased demand for high-quality cell and gene therapy components, the release stated. These critical reagents are foundational to delivering on the promise of therapies to patients and are key to accelerating the path to clinic for developers.
Launched in 2021, IDT’s rhAmpSeq CRISPR Analysis System is an end-to-end solution for characterizing and quantifying the full array of on- and off‑target genome editing events in CRISPR research products.
The novel tool continues to grow in popularity as an assay for off‑target confirmation, and enables the robust analysis of resulting next generation sequencing data.
For more information about IDT’s comprehensive off‑target analysis services and capabilities, visit https://go.idtdna.com/OTE-analysis-request-consult.
