Precision BioSciences, Inc., today announced that the Opposition
Division of the European Patent Office (EPO) has issued a written
decision confirming its November 18, 2009 revocation of the previously
granted claims of Cellectis’ European Patent No. 1 485 475. As
previously reported, after an oral hearing in an Opposition Proceeding
initiated by Precision BioSciences, Cellectis’ previously granted claims
to single-chain meganucleases, including those derived from I-CreI, as
well as Cellectis’ claims to most classes of hybrid meganucleases, were
revoked in their entirety. As a result of the interlocutory decision,
Cellectis’ patent has been severely restricted such that it now includes
only claims limited to hybrid meganucleases formed by the fusion of an
N-terminal of the I-DmoI meganuclease to a domain derived from the
I-CreI meganuclease.
“In fact, the remaining claims only cover
certain hybrid meganucleases that, to my knowledge, are not currently in
commercial use by anyone.”
“We are delighted with the written decision from the EPO’s Opposition
Division. This confirms the oral decision issued last November, and
should refute Cellectis’ bizarre assertion that the patent had been
‘upheld’ despite the revocation of the broad claims and the maintenance
of only much narrower claims,” said Derek Jantz, Precision BioSciences’
VP of Scientific Development. “In fact, the remaining claims only cover
certain hybrid meganucleases that, to my knowledge, are not currently in
commercial use by anyone.”