Lentiviral vectors (LV) are vehicles that can deliver genes or RNAi into cells with a high level of efficiency and stability. By comparison, other viral vector systems such as non-viral, adenoviral and adeno-associated viral vectors have not been shown to achieve both high and stable gene delivery in dividing cells.
The intellectual property, which was developed at Penn's School of Medicine, has been granted to Lentigen to develop and commercialize products as both research reagents for laboratory research purposes and, potentially, therapeutic purposes. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
“Lentigen's license agreement with the University of Pennsylvania is part of our goal to continue licensing lentiviral technology from both academic research institutions and the private sector, which we will then work to commercialize,” commented Dr Boro Dropulic, founder and CEO of Lentigen.