A Massachusetts-based biotech says two pharmaceutical giants are trampling its intellectual property. Factor Bioscience Inc. filed suit Friday in Delaware federal court accusing Cellectis Inc. and AstraZeneca Plc of unlawfully exploiting patented gene-editing technology that Factor claims is at the heart of next-generation cancer treatments.

The lawsuit alleges direct and indirect infringement of three U.S. patents covering messenger RNA-based TALENs — a protein engineering tool designed to rewrite human DNA with precision. Factor seeks damages and an injunction to stop further use.

“This is a David v. Goliath story,” Factor CEO Matt Angel said in a statement. “Our [mRNA] TALENs slingshot holds the key to tomorrow’s therapies. If global pharma players can poach the innovations of startups like ours, it threatens to derail life-saving research.”

MIT Roots and the Birth of a Breakthrough

Factor’s lawsuit traces its technology back to the doctoral days of co-founders Matt Angel and Christopher Rohde at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Together, they pioneered what the company calls “the first method for gene-editing human cells using mRNA.” According to the filing, the mRNA approach proved “exceptionally effective” in producing gene-edited cells encoding TALENs — shorthand for transcription activator-like effector nucleases.

By contrast, Cellectis’ 2011 licenses from the University of Minnesota and Iowa State University only covered older methods, such as DNA plasmids and viral vectors.

A Pivot After a Published Hint

Factor points to a 2013 article in Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News. Angel was interviewed about the mRNA TALEN breakthrough, and Cellectis’ then-chief science officer Philippe Duchateau appeared in the same feature. Shortly after, the lawsuit claims, Cellectis pivoted sharply toward mRNA-based TALEN production.

Since then, Cellectis has touted mRNA TALENs in investor pitches, publications, and in its .HEAL gene therapy program, Factor says.

Deals Worth Billions

Factor alleges Cellectis has parlayed its technology into blockbuster deals. A 2014 research and licensing agreement with Pfizer carried $80 million upfront and up to $3.25 billion in milestone payments. Cellectis also secured a €20 million lump sum and $410 million in potential milestones in a deal with Les Laboratoires Servier.

The most recent tie-up came in 2023, when AstraZeneca signed a research and licensing pact worth $25 million upfront, plus as much as $2.2 billion in milestones and royalties. According to Factor, AstraZeneca has already launched “investigative activities” using the disputed mRNA TALEN platform.

The Patents at Stake

Factor is represented by Anne Gaza, Robert Vrana, and Samantha Wilson of Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor LLP.

Counsel information for Cellectis and AstraZeneca was not immediately available.