Factor Targets mRNA + TALEN Technology in Lawsuit
Biotechnology company Factor Bioscience has taken legal action against AstraZeneca and French biotech firm Cellectis, accusing them of infringing patents linked to its gene-editing technology. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware.
Factor alleges that the companies misused its mRNA and TALEN (Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases) platform, a method used to create engineered cells for cancer treatments. The case, Factor Bioscience Inc v. Cellectis Inc, is registered under case number 1:25-cv-01197.
Claims Against AstraZeneca and Cellectis
According to the complaint, Cellectis, which is collaborating with AstraZeneca on oncology research, copied Factor’s patented methods to design cell therapies. These therapies aim to fight cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma.
Factor argues that the alleged infringement undermines the contributions of smaller biotech innovators. The company said that if larger pharmaceutical corporations are allowed to exploit these breakthroughs, it would discourage future innovation in the gene-editing field.
What Factor Wants From the Case
Factor Bioscience is seeking monetary damages. The company has not disclosed a specific amount. Legal experts note that Factor could also ask the court for injunctive relief to stop the use of its patented methods in ongoing projects.
Broader Impact on Biotech
The case highlights growing disputes in the biopharmaceutical industry, where small firms hold critical patents but lack the same resources as global pharma companies. Gene-editing platforms such as TALENs and CRISPR are central to next-generation therapies, making intellectual property rights a key battleground.
Legal analysts suggest that this lawsuit could influence how biotech firms license, enforce, and defend gene-editing patents in the United States.
