Novel CRISPR Enzymes and Systems
Summary
The European Patent Office published patent application EP4159856A1 for Novel CRISPR Enzymes and Systems, filed by the Broad Institute, MIT, Harvard, and co-applicants including the US Department of Health and Human Services. The patent covers CRISPR-Cas gene editing technology with inventors including Feng Zhang, Sergey Shmakov, and Konstantin Severinov. The application is classified under C12N 15/10 and C12N 9/22.
What changed
The EPO published international patent application EP4159856A1 for novel CRISPR enzymes and systems. The application names multiple research institutions as co-applicants, including the Broad Institute, MIT, Harvard, Rutgers, SKOLTECH, and the US Department of Health and Human Services. Key inventors include Feng Zhang, Konstantin Severinov, Eugene Koonin, and others. The patent covers CRISPR-Cas systems classified under IPC codes C12N 15/10, C12N 9/22, and C12N 15/63. The application designates all major European contracting states.
This is a routine patent publication notice with no immediate compliance obligations for third parties. Entities developing CRISPR-based gene editing technologies should review this publication to assess potential freedom-to-operate implications and identify potential licensing needs. Patent prosecution timelines vary; third parties should monitor the EPO register for subsequent examination results, opposition periods, and granted claims that would create enforceable exclusive rights in designated territories.
Source document (simplified)
NOVEL CRISPR ENZYMES AND SYSTEMS
Publication EP4159856A1 Kind: A1 Mar 25, 2026
Applicants
The Broad Institute, Inc., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, President and Fellows of Harvard College, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology
(SKOLTECH), The United States of America, as Represented by
the Secretary, Department of Health and Human
Services, Shmakov, Sergey
Inventors
SEVERINOV, Konstantin, ZHANG, Feng, WOLF, Yuri I., SHMAKOV, Sergey, SEMENOVA, Ekaterina, MINAKHIN, Leonid, MAKAROVA, Kira S., KOONIN, Eugene, KONERMANN, Silvana, JOUNG, Julia, GOOTENBERG, Jonathan, ABUDAYYEH, Omar O., LANDER, Eric S.
IPC Classifications
C12N 15/10 20060101AFI20230224BHEP C12N 9/22 20060101ALI20230224BHEP C12N 15/63 20060101ALI20230224BHEP
Designated States
AL, AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LI, LT, LU, LV, MC, MK, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SI, SK, SM, TR
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