U.K. Regulator Approves Groundbreaking Gene-Editing Therapy

  • Crispr Therapeutics and Vertex Pharmaceuticals receive world’s first regulatory approval for a CRISPR-based medicine
  • U.K. regulator approves Casgevy, a gene-edited therapy, for sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia
  • Casgevy works by editing a faulty gene in patients’ bone-marrow stem cells
  • Therapy is also under review by the U.S. FDA, with a decision expected by December 8th
  • Crispr Therapeutics shares up 38% in the year to date, Vertex shares up 21% so far this year

Public Companies: Crispr Therapeutics (CRSP), Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VRTX)
Private Companies:
Key People: Dr. Reshma Kewalramani (President and CEO of Vertex), Samarth Kulkarni (CEO and Chairman of CRISPR Therapeutics)


Factuality Level: 8
Justification: The article provides information about the regulatory approval of a gene-edited therapy for sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia. It includes quotes from the CEOs of Crispr Therapeutics and Vertex Pharmaceuticals, as well as information about the therapy’s mechanism of action and the review process by the FDA. The article does not contain any obvious bias or misleading information.

Noise Level: 7
Justification: The article provides relevant information about the regulatory approval of a gene-edited therapy for sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia. It includes quotes from company executives and mentions the potential impact of the therapy. However, the article contains some filler content, such as the mention of text-to-speech technology and the request for feedback.

Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: Shares of Crispr Therapeutics and Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Presence of Extreme Event: No
Nature of Extreme Event: No
Impact Rating of the Extreme Event: No
Justification: The article pertains to the financial market as it discusses the stock performance of Crispr Therapeutics and Vertex Pharmaceuticals. However, there is no mention of any extreme event.

Reported publicly: www.marketwatch.com