Prime Medicine wins arbitration over gene-editing dispute with Beam, clearing path for AATD trial

Prime Medicine announced it had prevailed in an arbitration against Beam Therapeutics, ending a dispute over gene-editing technology.

The arbitrator determined that Prime’s work on a gene-editing drug for alpha‑1 antitrypsin deficiency does not breach a 2019 agreement meant to keep the two spin‑out companies from competing directly.

With the ruling, Prime expects to launch a clinical trial for the rare liver disease later this quarter, and its shares rose about 11% following the news.

The decision is a setback for Beam Therapeutics, which had been contesting Prime’s program, and may affect its own development plans.