[Accelerating drug discovery process with genome editing technology from Tokushima].

Abstract

In a series of drug development processes from basic research to non-clinical and clinical trials, genome editing technologies have been making innovative breakthroughs. Genome editing using CRISPR/Cas9 system, which was awarded the Novel Prize in Chemistry in 2020, has greatly streamlined the production of genetically modified mice and cells, which have been used in a variety of drug discovery research and non-clinical trials. Setsuro Tech Inc. (Setsurotech) established in 2017 is a biotech startup originated in Tokushima University. In this paper, we will briefly review genome editing technology using CRISPR/Cas9 system, and then introduce our company, our fundamental technologies; GEEP method (Genome Editing by Electroporation of Cas9 Protein) developed by Takemoto et al., and VIKING method (Versatile NHEJ-based Knock-in using Genome Editing) established by Sawatsubashi et al. Also, we will introduce our contribution to the field of drug discovery research and industrial application of genome editing technology.