Beam Therapeutics has sued a Chinese biotech startup and one of its former scientists, alleging theft of crucial intellectual property. The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, names Shanghai Yaotang Biotechnology, also known as Yoltech Therapeutics; Serapha Bio, Inc.; and former Beam scientist Zi Jun (Emma) Wang, among others.
Beam alleges that Wang misappropriated trade secrets related to its gene-editing technology. The company develops precision genetic medicines using base editing.
The lawsuit seeks to protect Beam’s foundational technology from use by a potential competitor co-founded by a former insider.