Trio of gene editing programs marks Vertex’s last additions from fruitful CRISPR deal

Vertex has opted in to three programs discovered under its 2015 deal with CRISPR Therapeutics, spending $30 million up front to gain exclusive, worldwide rights to develop gene therapies against the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator and two undisclosed targets.

CRISPR Therapeutics AG (NASDAQ:CRSP) is eligible to receive up to $410 million in milestones and royalties for each target. Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:VRTX) no longer has rights to in-license additional targets as the research period of the deal has now expired...