Vertex makes first pick in CRISPR collaboration

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:VRTX) selected CTX001 as the first gene therapy to develop under its 2015 deal with CRISPR Therapeutics AG (NASDAQ:CRSP). Vertex has the option to exclusively license five other gene therapies using CRISPR's CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology under the deal (see BioCentury Extra, Oct, 26, 2015).

Vertex and CRISPR will co-develop and co-commercialize CTX001, an ex vivo gene-edited autologous hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) therapy engineered to produce high levels of fetal hemoglobin in red blood cells. The partners will equally share all costs and profits...