ToolGen
ToolGen is a KOSDAQ-listed South Korean biotechnology company that holds foundational CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing patents for eukaryotic cells and operates across therapeutics (Lp(a), CMT, hemophilia, CAR-T), gene-edited crops, custom cell-line services, and a global IP licensing and litigation program.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersGeumgok, South Korea
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What ToolGen does
ToolGen is a South Korea–headquartered, KOSDAQ-listed (ticker 199800) biotechnology company founded in 1999 by Dr. Jin-Soo Kim that develops and commercializes gene editing technology across three generations of platforms — ZFN (developed 2000), TALEN (developed 2011), and CRISPR-Cas9 (developed 2012). ToolGen is the world's first patent filer for CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing in eukaryotic cells and holds foundational patents in 9+ jurisdictions including the US, Europe, China, Japan, Korea, Australia, Singapore, India, and Hong Kong; its senior-party status in US PTAB interference proceedings with the Broad Institute was confirmed in 2022. The portfolio has expanded into CRISPR RNP delivery systems (US 12,612,632/633/634 and EP 3,346,003/EP 4,397,760), base and prime editor platforms, Sniper Cas9 (published in Nature Communications 2018), and C. jejuni Cas9 patents in the US and Australia.
The company operates four revenue streams across three business divisions: (1) Therapeutics — in vivo programs including GEB-200 (Lp(a) reduction cardiovascular therapy, partnered with GenEditBio via a November 2025 strategic cross-license), TGT-001 (Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease 1A), TG-LBP (hemophilia B), and an ex vivo next-generation CAR-T program; (2) Crops — gene-edited high-oleic acid soybeans (USDA non-GMO approved), browning-suppressed potatoes, herbicide-tolerant corn and soybeans, and specialty industrial/SAF feedstock crops developed through a KORIL-RDF-funded partnership with PlantArcBio; (3) Genome Editing Services — custom cell line production (knock-out, knock-in) and IVT RNA synthesis offered to research institutions and biotech firms at reported In/Del efficiencies of up to 60% (mixed pools) and 100% (single-cell clones); and (4) IP Licensing — royalty and upfront-bearing agreements with Monsanto/Bayer, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Life Technologies, KeyGene, Avinnogen, and others, with active litigation against Vertex Pharmaceuticals and the Broad Institute to monetize the foundational patent estate.
ToolGen's go-to-market is B2B licensing-led with channel partnerships and a small direct research services arm; distribution is direct and global, with offices in Seoul (headquarters, Magok BioInnovation Park) and an R&D center at the Osong Biohealth Complex in Cheongju. Management has publicly declared 2026 the 'Revenue Generation Phase,' backed by a ~700 billion KRW rights offering approved in May 2026 to fund litigation, R&D, and operational scaling, and supported by the appointment of US litigator Dave Boncheun Koo as Chief Legal Officer and the formation of a Science Advisory Board chaired scientifically by founder Dr. Jin-Soo Kim.
ToolGen firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ToolGen
- Legal name
- 주식회사 툴젠 (ToolGen Inc.)
- Website
- https://toolgen.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- ToolGen is a KOSDAQ-listed South Korean biotechnology company that holds foundational CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing patents for eukaryotic cells and operates across therapeutics (Lp(a), CMT, hemophilia, CAR-T), gene-edited crops, custom cell-line services, and a global IP licensing and litigation program.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ToolGen industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Gene Editing Technology
- NAICS
- Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)
- SIC
- Patent Owners & Lessors (6794), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Genome Editing Gene Therapies (CRISPR/TALEN/ZFN; in vivo/ex vivo) (HLAAACAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Biotechnology & Gene-Edited Trait Development (AFAGAIAG), Gene Therapy CMC/Process Development Platforms (capsid engineering, producer cell lines, plasmids, upstream/downstream) (HLAAACAN)
Keywords
Where ToolGen is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Geumgok
- HQ country
- South Korea
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices2 records
Markets served
ToolGen business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Patent Licensing and Royalty Income: ToolGen monetizes its foundational CRISPR-Cas9 patents through licensing agreements with global companies. Revenue comes from upfront payments, annual royalties, and milestone payments. The company has out-licensed to Monsanto (Bayer), Thermo Fisher Scientific, Life Technologies, and KeyGene. In 2026, management declared this the 'Revenue Generation Phase' targeting substantial recurring royalty income.
- Co-development and Strategic Partnerships: Joint development agreements with partners like GenEditBio for therapeutic programs (GEB-200) and PlantArcBio for agricultural applications. Revenue generated through shared development costs, milestone payments, and profit sharing from commercialization.
- Genome Editing Services: Customized genome-edited cell line production and IVT RNA synthesis services offered to research institutions and biotech companies. Services include knock-out, knock-in cell lines with varying timelines and efficiency guarantees.
- Seed Sales and Crop Development: Development and commercialization of gene-edited crops including soybeans, potatoes, corn, and specialty crops. Revenue from seed sales, trait licensing, and potentially vertical value chain integration in agricultural markets.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
ToolGen product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ToolGen develops and commercializes CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology, holding foundational patents registered across 9+ key jurisdictions. The company operates three business divisions: an IP Business licensing CRISPR-Cas9 patents to global pharma, biotech, and seed companies; a Therapeutics division developing in vivo gene editing therapies (cardiovascular, rare disease) and ex vivo CAR-T cell therapies; and a Crop Science division producing gene-edited soybeans, potatoes, and specialty crops. ToolGen also offers custom genome-edited cell line production and IVT RNA synthesis services to research institutions and CROs.
Product overview
ToolGen operates a platform-plus-services business model centered on its CRISPR-Cas9 foundational patent portfolio, which is registered in 10 key countries. The core technology platform powers three business divisions: Therapeutics (in vivo programs GEB-200, TGT-001, TG-LBP and ex vivo CAR-T), Crops (gene-edited soybean, potato, corn, and specialty oil crops), and Genome Editing Services (custom cell line production). The company also generates revenue through IP licensing to partners including Bayer and Thermo Fisher. The platform is differentiated by foundational patent priority confirmed by PTAB interference proceedings.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- CRISPR-Cas9 Platform World-leading CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology platform with foundational patents in 10 countries including the US, Europe, China, Australia, and Japan, enabling precise modification of genetic information in eukaryotic cells.
- Genome Edited Cell Line Service Custom genome editing services for research institutions and biotech companies producing knock-out and knock-in cell lines using Cas9 protein (RNP) or mRNA transfection with highly specific sgRNA to minimize off-target effects.
- GEB-200 In vivo genome editing therapy for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) targeting lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] reduction, developed through a strategic cross-license with GenEditBio using LNP delivery technology for a once-and-done treatment paradigm.
- TGT-001 In vivo therapeutic program targeting Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT 1A), a hereditary peripheral neuropathy for which no approved cure currently exists.
- TG-LBP Liver-targeted in vivo genome editing program for hemophilia B that leverages CRISPR-Cas9 technology for a potential genomic cure.
- Next-generation CAR-T Ex vivo CAR-T cell therapy program using CRISPR-based cell engineering to enhance immune cell functionality for cancer treatment.
- High-oleic Acid Soybeans Gene-edited soybean variety with enhanced oleic acid content providing improved oil stability and health benefits, with USDA Non-GMO approval enabling market access without GMO regulation.
- Browning-suppressed Potato Gene-edited potato with suppressed browning trait providing improved fresh market appearance and reduced food waste, approved with GMO regulatory exemption from USDA.
- Herbicide Tolerant Crops (Corn/Soybean) Gene-edited crops with herbicide tolerance traits for simplified weed management, part of a diversified crop portfolio targeting global industrial markets including potential SAF (sustainable aviation fuel) feedstock applications.
- CRISPR IP Licensing & Partnership Program Licensing of CRISPR-Cas9 foundational patents to global pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and seed companies through strategic IP monetization including upfront payments, royalties, milestone payments, and patent enforcement.
Quantifiable outcome
- Patent registration in 9+ key jurisdictions validated by successful licensing to global companies
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use ToolGen
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
ToolGen technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
ToolGen partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Korean Gene Editing Industry CouncilminorToolGen CEO serves as chairman of Gene Editing Bioindustry Development Council, an industry association of 30+ companies including ToolGen, Greenjin, Nullabio, Davigene, Lasemia, Ratbio, Mujinmedi, Bio니아, Biod, and others. Council advocates for favorable regulation of gene-edited organisms in Korea.
- Science Advisory Board MemberscoreFormed Science Advisory Board (SAB) with top researchers: Dr. Jin-Soo Kim (KAIST, founder), Prof. Kim Hyung-bum (Yonsei University College of Medicine), and Prof. Lim Yong-pyo (Konkuk University, former Golden Seed Project vegetable seed business unit director). SAB to advise on technology strategy and commercialization.
- GenEditBiocoreStrategic cross-license agreement combining ToolGen's CRISPR-Cas9 platform with GenEditBio's LNP delivery technology for in-vivo genome editing therapeutics. Jointly developing GEB-200 for cardiovascular disease (Lp(a) reduction). Successfully completed NHP proof-of-concept study. Both parties will share development costs and commercialization revenues.
- AvinnogenminorTechnology licensing agreement for CRISPR-Cas9 gene editor to Seoul National University spinout for disease-resistant poultry breeding and production of therapeutic proteins in eggs using avian germline editing. ToolGen receives upfront payment and royalties on sales.
- PlantArcBiocoreStrategic collaboration to develop gene-edited herbicide-tolerant soybeans using CRISPR-Cas9 and PlantArcBio's DIPPER platform. Two-year project funded with US$2.16 million by KORIL-RDF (Korea-Israel Industrial R&D Foundation). Targets $10 billion global soybean seed market with non-GMO weed management solution.
- Monsanto (Now Bayer)coreLicense-out of CRISPR gene editing technology for agricultural applications. Major enterprise customer validating ToolGen's foundational patents in agricultural biotechnology.
- Thermo Fisher ScientificcoreLicense-out of CRISPR gene editing technology for research tools and life science reagent manufacturing. Validates ToolGen's foundational patent portfolio globally.
- KeyGeneminorLicense-out of CRISPR gene editing technology for agricultural crop research and development in Netherlands. Strategic partnership for European agricultural market access.
- Life Technologies (Now Thermo Fisher)coreEarly license-out of CRISPR gene editing technology for life science research applications in the United States. One of the first major validation of ToolGen's patent portfolio.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
ToolGen competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Editas Medicine: Clinical-stage CRISPR-Cas9 and Cas12a gene editing company developing in vivo and ex vivo therapeutics. Direct competitor to ToolGen in CRISPR therapeutics, with overlapping foundational IP positions and target indications including sickle cell disease.
- Verve Therapeutics: Clinical-stage cardiovascular gene editing company (now Eli Lilly following $1B upfront acquisition in 2025) developing in vivo base editing therapies for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Direct program-level peer to ToolGen's GEB-200 Lp(a) reduction program and validates the cardiovascular gene editing TAM ToolGen targets.
- Cellectis: Clinical-stage gene editing company that co-invented TALEN technology. Direct peer to ToolGen's second-generation TALEN heritage and an active competitor in ex vivo CAR-T and gene therapy programs using engineered nucleases.
- Intellia Therapeutics: Clinical-stage in vivo CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing company developing NTLA-2001 (transthyretin amyloidosis) and other systemic editing programs. Direct competitor to ToolGen's GEB-200 (Lp(a) reduction) and other liver-targeted in vivo programs using LNP delivery.
- Caribou Biosciences: Clinical-stage allogeneic CAR-T cell therapy company using CRISPR-Cas9 chRDNA platform. Direct peer to ToolGen's ex vivo CAR-T program and a comparable CRISPR platform-plus-pipeline biotech with similar headcount and stage profile.
- Beam Therapeutics: Clinical-stage base editing company founded by David Liu, developing precision gene editing medicines. Direct technology competitor to ToolGen's disclosed base editor and prime editor platform extensions, with comparable platform-plus-pipeline structure.
- CRISPR Therapeutics: Clinical-stage CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing company co-developing Casgevy (exa-cel) with Vertex. Direct competitor to ToolGen in CRISPR-based therapeutics and the most relevant benchmark for ToolGen's foundational patent licensing value, particularly given Vertex's role as a counterparty to both companies.
- Sangamo Therapeutics: Clinical-stage gene editing and gene therapy company originally pioneering Zinc Finger Nuclease (ZFN) technology. Direct peer to ToolGen's first-generation ZFN heritage and the original ZFN platform from which ToolGen's lineage evolved before TALEN and CRISPR.
Emerging players
- Pairwise: Agricultural biotechnology company using CRISPR-Cas9 and base editing to develop gene-edited crops, including seedless blackberries and pitless cherries. Direct peer to ToolGen's crop pipeline (herbicide-tolerant soybeans, browning-suppressed potatoes) with comparable non-GMO regulatory positioning in the US.
- Benson Hill: Agricultural biotechnology company using proprietary genomics and gene editing (including CRISPR-based approaches) to develop improved soybean and other crop varieties. Comparable peer to ToolGen's high-oleic-acid soybean and broader crop science business unit targeting the same seed company customer base.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ToolGen social profiles
Digital presenceToolGen financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ToolGen leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
ToolGen funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ToolGen M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ToolGen
What does ToolGen do?
ToolGen develops and commercializes CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology, holding foundational patents registered across 9+ key jurisdictions. The company operates three business divisions: an IP Business licensing CRISPR-Cas9 patents to global pharma, biotech, and seed companies; a Therapeutics division developing in vivo gene editing therapies (cardiovascular, rare disease) and ex vivo CAR-T cell therapies; and a Crop Science division producing gene-edited soybeans, potatoes, and specialty crops. ToolGen also offers custom genome-edited cell line production and IVT RNA synthesis services to research institutions and CROs.
Is ToolGen a public or private company?
ToolGen is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was ToolGen founded?
ToolGen was founded in 1999. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is ToolGen based?
ToolGen is headquartered in Geumgok, South Korea, in the Asia region.
How does ToolGen make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Patent Licensing and Royalty Income is the primary driver. The others are co-development and Strategic Partnerships, genome Editing Services and seed Sales and Crop Development.
Who are ToolGen's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Editas Medicine, Verve Therapeutics, Cellectis, Intellia Therapeutics, Caribou Biosciences, Beam Therapeutics, CRISPR Therapeutics and Sangamo Therapeutics. Emerging players are Pairwise and Benson Hill.
Does ToolGen have an API?
No public API is recorded for ToolGen.
What industry is ToolGen in?
ToolGen's product category is Gene Editing Technology. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAACAD, Genome Editing Gene Therapies (CRISPR/TALEN/ZFN; in vivo/ex vivo), with a secondary code of AFAGAIAG, Biotechnology & Gene-Edited Trait Development. Its NAICS code is 541714 and its SIC code is 6794.