Japanese Court Upholds UC CRISPR Patent in Global Legal Battle

CRISPR gene-editing technology continues to revolutionize biomedical research and treatment strategies, particularly for genetic disorders such as lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) and cancer. Advances in CRISPR/Cas systems, including base editing and prime editing, offer novel therapeutic approaches for LSDs by enabling precise genetic corrections both in vivo and ex vivo. In cancer research, CRISPR serves as a powerful tool for understanding gene function rapidly in laboratory settings, facilitating the development of therapies like engineered CAR-T cells, though direct editing of tumors remains challenging. The global patent landscape of CRISPR remains contentious, exemplified by a 2025 Japanese court ruling favoring the University of California, highlighting the high stakes in controlling this transformative technology. Innovative methodologies such as CRAFTseq combine CRISPR base editing with single-cell transcriptomics to map subtle genetic variant effects on gene expression with unprecedented precision, advancing our understanding of disease mechanisms. These developments underscore CRISPR's dual role as both a cutting-edge research tool and a promising platform for future gene therapies.