Sangamo Therapeutics is charting a measured course through the evolving landscape of genetic medicine, balancing breakthrough science with practical business considerations. The California-based company has positioned itself at the forefront of genome engineering while maintaining a pragmatic approach to market development and financial sustainability.
Strategic Evolution Beyond Pure Editing
Under CEO Sandy Macrae's leadership since 2016, Sangamo has undergone significant transformation, more than tripling its staff and securing $1.6 billion in funding. The company has established partnerships with six major pharmaceutical companies and built its own manufacturing facilities in both California and France.
"When I started in 2016 it was still a very academic field without much industrial interest," notes Macrae. "Then over the next two or three years, gene therapy was accepted as something that companies got involved in, and several biotechs have been bought up by big pharma."
Proprietary Technology Platform
At the core of Sangamo's capabilities is its zinc finger (ZF) platform, which offers two distinct approaches to genetic manipulation. The technology can be engineered to create zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) for direct genome editing, or zinc finger transcription factors (ZFP-TFs) for gene regulation.
"Zinc fingers are the most common control gene in the body," Macrae explains. "We can place them near the promoter of a gene and repress or upregulate it." This versatility has attracted collaborations with major pharmaceutical companies, including partnerships with Biogen for tauopathies and Novartis for autism-related conditions.
Staged Approach to Market Development
The company envisions genome editing evolution occurring in distinct waves, starting with ultra-rare monogenic diseases before expanding to more common conditions. However, Macrae emphasizes the importance of careful progression: "We have to be thoughtful and prudent, because the worst thing that could happen is that gene editing is used in the wrong kind of patient, where there's a risk without a benefit."
Manufacturing Excellence as Strategic Priority
Recognizing the critical importance of production capabilities, Sangamo has invested heavily in manufacturing infrastructure. "Owning your own fate in manufacturing is really important," says Macrae. "The process of gene editing needs lots of care and attention, and we're at an early stage of the science where we don't know all the answers."
Three-Pillar Business Strategy
To ensure near-term viability while advancing long-term genome editing goals, Sangamo has developed a three-pronged approach:
- Gene Therapy: Leveraging existing expertise in delivery and vectors for conditions including PKU, Fabry disease, and hemophilia A
- Ex Vivo Gene-Edited Cell Therapy: Including innovative CAR-Treg platform for conditions like multiple sclerosis
- In Vivo Genome Engineering: Continuing development for future applications across multiple tissues
Future Outlook
While currently diversified, Sangamo anticipates eventually shifting focus more heavily toward genome engineering as the field matures. "Gene therapy can ultimately only take you into the liver," Macrae notes. "We have the advantage of also being able to edit cells in vivo, and eventually we will be able to do fundamental once-and-done editing in other tissues. It's just a matter of getting the field there."
