Chroma Medicine Announces Exclusive Licensing Agreement with the Whitehead Institute for Novel Epigenetic Editing Technology

License provides exclusive access to innovative epigenetic editors and expands the reach of the Chroma platform

BOSTON, June 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Chroma Medicine, Inc. (Chroma), a genomic medicine company pioneering single-dose epigenetic editing therapies, today announced that it has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with the Whitehead Institute to access intellectual property and technology developed in Chroma’s co-founder’s lab. Jonathan WeissmannPh.D.

The novel technology called CHARM (coupled histone tail for release of autoinhibition of methyltransferase) uses a compact epigenetic editing effector domain to recruit and activate endogenous DNA methyltransferases to sustainably silence target genes. CHARM can use a self-silencing mechanism to limit its duration of expression and Dr. Weissman’s lab has demonstrated that it induces brain-wide deactivation of prion proteins in vivo.

With the goal of harnessing the transformative potential of epigenetic editing, Chroma is expanding the versatility of its platform by leveraging this novel technology to rapidly advance a new class of therapies that harness epigenetics, nature’s innate mechanism for gene regulation, to achieve unprecedented control over gene expression without cutting, nicking or altering the DNA sequence.

“This agreement is a powerful example of our deep commitment to innovation in genomic medicines,” said Catherine Stehman-BreenMD, CEO of Chroma. “The addition of CHARM to our arsenal of technologies strengthens our mission to provide patients with a broad portfolio of sustainable epigenetic editing therapies. »

About the Whitehead Institute and Weissman Laboratory
The Whitehead Institute is a world-renowned, nonprofit research institute dedicated to improving human health through basic biomedical research. The mission of the Whitehead Institute is to forge new frontiers in science, discovering knowledge today that unlocks the potential of tomorrow.

The Weissman lab studies how cells ensure proper protein folding, as well as the role of protein misfolding in disease and normal physiology. He also develops experimental and analytical approaches to explore the organizing principles of biological systems and monitor protein translation on a global scale through ribosome profiling.

About Chroma Medicine
Chroma Medicine is a biotechnology company pioneering a new class of genomic medicines that harness epigenetics, nature’s innate mechanism for gene regulation, to deliver precise, programmable therapeutic treatments in a single treatment while preserving the genomic integrity. The Company’s modular platform enables the development of drugs capable of treating a broad range of complex diseases, whether they require silencing, activation, or simultaneous targeting of multiple genes. Chroma was founded by the world’s leading experts in genomic research and is led by a seasoned team of industry leaders and scientists with extensive experience in genomic medicine, drug discovery and development. For more information, please visit chromamedicine.com or follow us on LinkedIn And X (formerly known as Twitter).

SOURCE Chroma Medicine