BOSTON: Biotech firm Editas Medicine has named Porter Novelli as its AOR.
Before hiring Porter, Editas, which develops medicines to treat genetic diseases, did not have a formal AOR. It decided to search for one at the turn of the year.
"We decided...we wanted to have some additional conversations with agencies as we go to the next chapter in our story that we’re evolving to," said Cristi Barnett, head of corporate communications at Editas. It cemented the deal with Porter late July.
Editas had a prior relationship with W2O Pure. Barnett said her company is continuing to work with the firm on special projects and parts of its business but decided it needed an AOR for overall comms support.
"Our former agency is great," Barnett said. "We are still engaging with them on special projects. It’s just more that we needed some additional expertise."
Barnett said Porter pitched for Editas’ work along with several other agencies but declined to name the other shops. The account’s budget was not disclosed.
She added that Porter’s healthcare expertise and its passion for the industry played a role in Editas’ decision to hire the agency.
The firm has been tasked with strategic planning, traditional media and social media support, and materials developed in support of its EM22 initiative, a plan to bring at least five experimental medicines to clinical trials in the next five years.
Barnett said Porter will help Editas communicate that initiative to employees and external stakeholders, including regulators, the investment community and even potential patients.
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