J.P. Morgan has initiated coverage of CRISPR Therapeutics (CRSP) with an “Overweight” rating, emphasizing the company’s unique advantages in the gene editing field due to its extensive R&D pipeline. Analyst Brian Cheng noted in the report that as several of the company’s products approach key development milestones, CRISPR Therapeutics is regaining investor attention. J.P. Morgan has set a target price of $70 for the stock.
As a Swiss biotechnology company that collaborated with Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) to launch the in vivo gene editing therapy Casgevy, CRISPR Therapeutics is also paving a faster path to market with its autoimmune CAR-T candidates, such as CTX112. Brian Cheng specifically highlighted that, given the current high focus on cardiovascular targets in the pharmaceutical industry, the company’s in vivo technologies based on ANGPTL3 and Lp(a) present highly attractive growth opportunities for its next phase of development.
On the other hand, ARK ETF, managed by Cathie Wood, disclosed in its daily trading report for September 17, 2025, that its portfolio continues to focus on genomics and biotechnology. Among its holdings, the flagship ARKK ETF significantly increased its stake in CRISPR Therapeutics, purchasing a total of 339,924 shares worth approximately $20.8 million. This move reflects ARK’s continued optimism toward the company and its recent efforts to boost its holdings.
CRISPR Therapeutics is the first biotechnology company to successfully commercialize a CRISPR gene editing therapy. This achievement not only demonstrates its scientific prowess but also lays a solid foundation for its sustained future growth. For a long time, research in the field of DNA repair within the pharmaceutical industry has faced repeated setbacks, with few results translating into actual drugs. However, at the end of 2023, Casgevy, developed by CRISPR in collaboration with Vertex Pharmaceuticals, received FDA approval for the treatment of sickle cell disease, making it the world’s first CRISPR gene editing drug. This milestone not only signifies the maturity of the company’s technology but also marks the official entry of gene therapy into a new stage of development.
Currently, CRISPR Therapeutics is advancing six new drug clinical trials based on the same technology platform, including two oncology drugs and two cardiovascular disease therapies. These areas represent significant unmet medical needs and substantial market opportunities.
