How CRISPR Therapeutics is Competing Against Five Other Gene-Editing Companies

Have you read my insight on CRISPR Therapeutics a couple of days ago, but are still undecided in investing in it? Fret not as this new insight will discuss how CRISPR Therapeutics is competing against five other gene-editing companies, namely Intellia Therapeutics, Editas Medicine, Beam Therapeutics, Verve Therapeutics, and Graphite Bio.

Of the six companies, Intellia Therapeutics tops the list when it comes to the total number of drugs in the early stage of Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling, with a total of 2. CRISPR Therapeutics, as well as Editas Medicine, Beam Therapeutics, Verve Therapeutics, and Graphite Bio, all have a drug each in the early IND-enabling stage.

However, with a total of 4, CRISPR Therapeutics is the forerunner in the number of drugs in Phase 1 and 2 clinical studies. Intellia Therapeutics and Editas Medicine have 2 drugs each, while Beam Therapeutics, Verve Therapeutics, and Graphite Bio trail behind with none.

As for the pipeline of cell and genetic therapies, CRISPR Therapeutics also leads with a total of 5 diseases such as blood disorders, immuno-oncology, diabetes, rare diseases, and cystic fibrosis. Intellia Therapeutics follows with a total of 4 for transthyretin amyloidosis, hereditary angioedema (in-vivo), blood disorders (AMNL), and immuno-oncology (ex-vivo). With 3 each, Editas Medicine (for ocular disease (in-vivo), blood disorders, and immuno-oncology), Beam Therapeutics (for blood disorders, rare disease, and ocular disease), and Graphite Bio (for blood disorders, x-linked severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome, and rare disorders) follow next. Meanwhile, Verve Therapeutics only registered a therapy for hereditary hypercholesterolemia.

With regards to upcoming catalysts in the next year or so, seeing CRISPR Therapeutics releasing more data on sickle cell anemia and their progress on immuno-oncology programs is something that you should watch out for. As we've already seen Intellia Therapeutics' work on transthyretin amyloidosis, the progress and results for its phase 2 trial are worth watching out for as well. Intellia's other potential catalyst is their experimental gene-editing therapy for hereditary angioedema (HAE), which they recently got approval for. Editas' results on their work with their sickle cell anemia project, and their progress on their leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) trial are worthy of consideration too. Beam Therapeutics' clinical studies results are also worth keeping an eye for. Furthermore, securing IND approval for the therapeutic modality is a big catalyst for Verve Therapeutics and Graphite Bio.

Based on the details above, CRISPR Therapeutics is the forerunner of most of the categories, so it surely is a worthy investment.

But, I also like Editas Medicine as they have a fairly robust pipeline and are using similar technology to CRISPR Therapeutics and Intellia Therapeutics. Looking at the relative discount compared to CRISPR Therapeutics and Intellia Therapeutics, Editas Medicine is also trading at 65 to 70% so I think this is a great opportunity to invest in Editas Medicine before they publish their works on their upcoming catalysts.

As always, this is not medical or financial advice.