Feb. 22 Quick Takes: Moderna adds third gene editing partnership

Moderna Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNA) and the Life Edit Therapeutics Inc. unit of ElevateBio LLC announced a multi-target collaboration to develop in vivo gene editing therapies using Moderna’s mRNA platform to deliver editing technologies developed by Life Edit, including base editors and compact RNA-guided nucleases with diverse protospacer adjacent motifs (PAMs) capable of targeting a wider range of genomic sites than conventional approaches. Life Edit will receive an undisclosed upfront payment plus funding for preclinical research, and is eligible for milestones and tiered royalties.

The deal is Moderna's third disclosed gene editing collaboration. In November 2021, Moderna partnered with next-generation nuclease company Metagenomi Inc. to develop in vivo gene editing therapies, and in September 2020 the company joined Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:VRTX) to research and develop lipid nanoparticles and mRNAs for delivery of gene editing therapies for cystic fibrosis...