ClinImmune has been awarded international patents on HLA gene editing to treat autoimmune diseases. Our research is focused on altering the peptide binding groove of the HLA molecule in order to change its ability to bind specific peptides that trigger autoimmunity. We have concluded preclinical studies on DRB1 to alter the lysine in position 71 found in DRB1*04:01 (an RA-susceptibility allele) to glutamic acid and demonstrated that the gene edit blocks collagen sensitization without being recognized as ‘foreign’ by the immune system. Additional studies are underway to treat multiple sclerosis, ankylosing spondylitis and Type I diabetes by editing the asparagine in position 82 to block all peptide binding.