Biotech firm Editas Medicine is cutting nearly two-thirds of its workforce, or 180 employees, over the next six months as it shifts focus towards in vivo gene editing. The company’s CEO, Gilmore O’Neill, stated that recent scientific breakthroughs have accelerated timelines for viability of in vivo CRISPR-edited medicines, leading to the decision.
Editas initially prioritized developing treatments for inherited eye disorders before achieving a notable milestone by testing an “in vivo” CRISPR therapy in humans in 2019. However, development faced repeated delays and study results were not strong enough to warrant further advancement. The company then focused on testing its therapy for sickle cell and beta thalassemia, two blood disorders already targeted by rivals.
The decision to leave behind the sickle cell therapy comes after failing to secure a commercial partner. Despite this, Editas claims recent data from mice experiments shows it can efficiently deliver CRISPR editing machinery directly into stem cells, paving the way for its in vivo strategy. The company plans to share more preclinical data and development timelines in the first quarter of 2025.
Source: https://www.biopharmadive.com/news/editas-layoffs-reni-cel-discontinue-pivot-in-vio/735465