BALTIMORE, April 3, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Lentigen Corporation today announced an exclusive licensing agreement with Cambridge Enterprise, the organization responsible for licensing technologies from the University of Cambridge (U.K.), for a fundamental patent in the area of lentiviral vector technology. The technology was developed in the laboratory of Professor Andrew Lever at the University of Cambridge.
“The patent broadly claims fundamental compositions of HIV-based lentiviral vectors that are currently widely used in research and clinical studies,” said Boro Dropulic, Ph.D., founder, president and chief scientific officer of Lentigen. He added “we are delighted to be working with Professor Lever in obtaining this patent license, and developing its application in biomedicine.”
Following the acquisition of the Cell Genesys’ lentiviral patent portfolio late last year by GBP Capital, the majority shareholder in Lentigen, this license further consolidates Lentigen’s intellectual property position.
“Licensing this fundamental technology patent from the University of Cambridge extends our strong intellectual property position and is consistent with our goal of becoming a leader in lentiviral-vector based biomedicine. It further enables Lentigen to pursue development and commercialization of biomedical products and services, to the benefit of patients, healthcare providers and the research community,” said Tim Ravenscroft, chief executive officer of Lentigen.
“Lentigen are the ideal partner for this piece of fundamental lentiviral vector technology. We are pleased to be working with a team committed to developing the technology for patient benefit,” added Dr Andrew Walsh, technology manager for Cambridge Enterprise, University of Cambridge.
About Lentiviral Vectors
Lentiviral vectors (LV) are the most efficient vehicles for stable delivery of genes or gene silencing sequences (e.g. RNAi) into cells. Gene delivery is accomplished by the binding and fusion of the LV pseudotyped envelope protein to the target cell membrane. The LV genomic RNA comprising the gene or gene silencing sequence is then converted to DNA and permanently integrates into the cell’s genome with extraordinary high efficiency. The gene or gene silencing sequence is then expressed in the cells, resulting in cells that are permanently genetically engineered with the desired effect.
About Lentigen Corporation
Lentigen Corporation is a privately owned biotechnology company focused on the development of lentiviral vector technology for a wide range of therapeutic, vaccine, and research applications in biotechnology and medicine. Lentiviral vectors are the most efficient vehicles for the delivery of genes or gene silencing sequences stably into cells. Lentigen is a highly collaborative company, co-developing lentiviral vector-based products across a broad spectrum of bench to clinical applications. Partnerships include The National Institutes of Health, The University of Pennsylvania, ThermoFisher Scientific and The U.S. Army. For further information, visit http://www.lentigen.com/
Cambridge Enterprise Limited, University of Cambridge
Cambridge Enterprise Limited provides knowledge and technology commercialisation services to University staff and students. Services include intellectual property management, bespoke marketing, negotiation of technology licences and consultancy services. Additionally, Cambridge Enterprise provides specialist surgeries for new companies, one-to-one mentoring by experienced business people, and provides access to seed and venture capital through the Cambridge Enterprise Seed Funds and Cambridge Enterprise Venture Partners.
On 1st December 2007 Cambridge Enterprise marked its first birthday as a limited company. During this first year the performance was solid in that 60 licences and 95 consultancy contracts were closed and the company assumed the management of a portfolio of 72 companies in which it holds equity. The turnover from technology and knowledge transfer was 6.0 million pounds of which 5.3 million pounds (88%) was returned to the University’s academics and departments.
Further information on Cambridge Enterprise can be found at: http://www.enterprise.cam.ac.uk
gtiberend@rlcinc.commfeeks@rlcinc.comshirley.jamieson@enterprise.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT: Gregory Tiberend, gtiberend@rlcinc.com, or Meghan Feeks,
mfeeks@rlcinc.com, both of Richard Lewis Communications, Inc.,
+1-212-827-0020, for Lentigen; or Shirley Jamieson, Head of Marketing,
Cambridge Enterprise Limited, +01223-760-339,
shirley.jamieson@enterprise.cam.ac.uk
Web site: http://www.lentigen.com/
http://www.enterprise.cam.ac.uk/
