On November 2, 2021, Moderna Inc., a biotechnology company pioneering messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics and vaccines, and Metagenomi, Inc., a genetic medicines company with a versatile portfolio of next-generation gene editing tools, announced that they have entered into a strategic research and development collaboration focused on advancing new gene editing systems for in vivo human therapeutic applications. The collaboration will utilize Metagenomi’s novel gene editing tools and leverage Moderna’s mRNA platform, as well as lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery technologies, with the goal of developing curative therapies for patients with serious genetic diseases. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati advised Metagenomi on patent matters related to the transaction.

Under the terms of the collaboration, Metagenomi will receive an upfront cash payment and is eligible to receive certain target option exercise fees as well as development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments, plus tiered royalties on net sales of any products that are commercialized by Moderna. Moderna has also agreed to make an equity investment in Metagenomi in the form of a convertible note.

The Wilson Sonsini patents and innovation team that advised Metagenomi on the transaction included Ali Alemozafar, Eric Grote, Brandon Tavshanjian, and Michael Hostetler.

For more information, please see this press release and this article from Fierce Biotech.