ERS Genomics Limited, which was formed to provide broad access to the foundational CRISPR/Cas9 intellectual property co-owned by Dr. Emmanuelle Charpentier, issued a statement saying that the Japanese Patent Office (JPO) has rejected arguments filed in opposition to the second Japanese patent (JP6692856) filed by Dr. Charpentier, together with The Regents of the University of California and University of Vienna (collectively known as CVC), which covers compositions and methods for use in a variety of eukaryotic cells, in either dual-guide or single-guide format. In addition, the JPO has allowed a third CVC patent (JP2019-210828), which covers a chimeric version of the Cas9 protein.

During the JP6692856 proceedings, opponents contested novelty and inventive step. In its opposition decision, the JPO re-affirmed the patentability of the inventions, further validating the fundamental value of these patents for use of the CRISPR/Cas9 technology.

The JPO has also allowed JP2019-210828 to the CVC group. This patent covers compositions and uses of a chimeric version of the Cas9 protein in cellular and non-cellular settings and will represent the third Japanese patent granted to the group.

Michael Arciero, Vice-President of Intellectual Property and Commercial Development, ERS Genomics, said: “The JPO actions reinforce the broad and fundamental nature of our CRISPR patent portfolio, both in Japan and worldwide. This also validates the decision our licensees have made to work with ERS to enable their commercialization efforts involving CRISPR/Cas9. We are expanding our efforts to make the technology broadly available, so it can be used by as many people as possible.”

Patents have now been issued to Dr. Charpentier, The Regents of the University of California and University of Vienna for this cutting-edge technology in over 80 countries worldwide.

ProBioGen and LAVA Therpuetics N.V. have closed a second cell line development agreement to support a bispecific gamma-delta T cell engager (TCE) candidate in LAVA’s pipeline.

Under the agreement and using its CHO.RiGHT expression platform, including its DirectedLuck Transposase technology for the generation of stable high-titer cell lines, ProBioGen will conduct cell line development of a novel gamma-delta bsTCE.

Dr. Lutz Hilbrich, ProBioGen’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are delighted to continue our collaboration with LAVA to develop cell lines for another novel gamma-delta bsTCE. Our proven cell line development platform, which also includes our Transposase technology, is perfectly suited for novel protein formats.”

Stephen Hurly, Chief Executive Officer and President of LAVA Therapeutics, commented: “Based on the great results from our previous agreement, we would look forward working with ProBioGen again. ProBioGen exceeded our expectations and proved to be a scientifically driven partner with a proven development platform and a dedicated analytical panel for bispecific antibody formats.”

Shimadzu, one of the world leaders in analytical instrumentation, has appointed Jürgen Semmler as the new managing director of its European organization from July 1, 2021. Previously, head of Shimadzu Deutschland, he succeeds Jürgen Kwass, who led Shimadzu Europa from 2003 to the present and is now retiring. Semmler and Kwass have both been affiliated with Shimadzu for a long time and joined the company in the second half of the 1980s.

Jürgen Semmler graduated in chemical engineering at Essen University, Germany, before joining Shimadzu in 1987 as an HPLC service engineer. He gained international experience as a European team member in the development of a global software and since 1996 as manager of the European Customer Support Center. In 2006, he was then appointed Managing Director of newly founded Shimadzu Deutschland. Under his management, the company has grown from 60 to more than 150 employees, and its sales from €19 million to over €40 million. Previously independent companies were incorporated into the organization as technical offices under the overall management of Shimadzu Deutschland.

Thanks to Jürgen Kwass

As Shimadzu Europa and Shimadzu Deutschland are both based in Duisburg, Germany, the two Managing Directors have always worked closely together.

Semmler commented: “Under Jürgen Kwass’ aegis, Shimadzu’s network was rolled out to every European country and set up structurally and in terms of staff to serve the customer needs of medium-sized companies as well as global players. Shimadzu’s growth is closely linked to his commitment and name.”

Shimadzu Europa has been active on the continent since 1968. Its medical and laboratory solutions are used in health care, the latter primarily in science and technology, particularly in almost every manufacturing industry such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, food and beverage, advanced manufacturing, automotive, semiconductors and plastics. They serve consumer, patient and environmental protection as well as process and quality control.

Future development and growth trends

With regard to technical trends, such as automation, miniaturization of systems, digitization and hyphenated techniques, ABC has provided significant impetus to the market and initiated developments in recent years.

Semmler noted: “Digitization in particular holds both technological and creative potential. In analytical instrumentation and medical technology, it facilitates seamless workflows as well as simpler, more accurate and faster measurements and tests. It also enables analytics and medical technology to merge to deliver solutions for the most challenging medical conditions, such as the diagnosis and treatment of cancer or dementia.”

Shimadzu Europa is Shimadzu’s oldest continental foreign organization and plays an important role in the company’s growth and globalization process.

Semmler said: “In addition to our technological expertise, we also want to continue to strengthen our presence and network on an organizational level throughout the European region, expand our teams, and increase sales and market share. I am looking forward to the tasks ahead.”

For the development of drugs or vaccines against COVID-19, research needs virus proteins of high purity. For most of the SARS-CoV-2 proteins, scientists at Goethe University Frankfurt and a total of 36 partner laboratories have now developed protocols that enable the production of several milligrams of each of these proteins with high purity, and allow […]

Neurons, nerve cells in the brain, are central players in brain function. However, a key role for glia, long considered support cells, is emerging. A research group at the University of Basel has now discovered two new types of glial cells in the brain, by unleashing adult stem cells from their quiescent state. These new […]