In this article, we will take a look at the Top 11 CRISPR Stocks to Invest in.
The pharmaceutical industry is buzzing with innovation, driven by the need for new treatments, tackling unmet medical challenges, and leveraging cutting-edge technologies like pharmacogenomics, digital therapeutics, and artificial intelligence. Among the most exciting breakthroughs are gene therapy and gene editing, with CRISPR-Cas9 leading the charge. This remarkable tool, inspired by bacteria’s natural defenses, acts like precise genetic scissors—faster, cheaper, and more accurate than other genome-editing methods.
Back in 2014, CRISPR and its associated Cas proteins were mostly limited to academic research, generating a lot of excitement but seeming far from real-world applications. Just six years later, after earning a Nobel Prize, CRISPR began to make its way into over 20 clinical trials. The COVID-19 pandemic further demonstrated its potential, with CRISPR-based tests delivering quick and accurate virus detection, while experimental treatments explored its use against the virus—showcasing the technology’s incredible flexibility in tackling public health crises.
The CRISPR technology market is poised for explosive growth. Coherent Market Insights estimates it will be worth $3.64 billion in 2024 and climb to more than $12.46 billion by 2031, growing at an impressive annual rate of 19.2%. Cell and gene therapies are game-changing for treating certain cancers and rare diseases. As of 2024, there are 38 FDA-approved cell and gene therapy products, including six CAR-T cell therapies targeting cancers like lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma. Several gene therapies are also available for rare genetic disorders, such as spinal muscular atrophy and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The industry’s focus has evolved from simply proving these therapies work to optimizing their effectiveness, minimizing side effects, and broadening their applications.
However, these therapies can come with eye-watering price tags—ranging from $400,000 to $2 million per dose. Although the sector has faced tough investment conditions since its boom in 2020 and 2021, there are signs of a rebound. Investments in the first half of 2024 reached $10.9 billion, surpassing 2019’s $9.8 billion, though still shy of the record $19.9 billion and $22.7 billion seen in 2020 and 2021. Funding dipped to $12.6 billion in 2022 and $11.7 billion in 2023. But there’s hope: Morgan Stanley suggests that Federal Reserve interest rate cuts could breathe new life into riskier assets like cell and gene therapies, aligning with a broader recovery in biotech.
The regulatory landscape for gene and regenerative therapies has also come a long way. In the U.S., the FDA has created clearer pathways for development, aided by the Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) designation, which speeds up review times and offers additional support to developers. Similarly, Europe has made strides with its guidelines for Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs). In 2017, the European Commission introduced a joint action plan to simplify processes for companies. While there’s still progress to be made, the push toward harmonized international regulations has made it easier for companies to secure approvals across multiple regions.
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Our Methodology
To identify the top 11 CRISPR stocks to invest in, we started by analyzing companies in the sector using ETF holdings and media coverage. We then narrowed down the list by focusing on top-performing stocks with the highest number of hedge fund investors, as tracked by Insider Monkey’s database of 900 hedge funds at the end of Q3 2024.
At Insider Monkey, we are obsessed with the stocks that hedge funds pile into. The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).
11. Sangamo Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:SGMO)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 8
Sangamo Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:SGMO) is a biotechnology company at the forefront of gene editing and gene therapy. Leveraging its proprietary zinc finger nuclease technology, Sangamo develops innovative treatments for genetic diseases and cancer. Its flagship Hemophilia A program, co-developed with Pfizer, is in Phase 3 clinical trials. The company is also advancing promising programs for renal transplants and Fabry disease, both in Phase 1/2 trials.
On December 13, Truist Securities upgraded Sangamo’s stock from Hold to Buy, setting a price target of $7. The upgrade was based on several anticipated milestones over the next 12 to 18 months, including the potential filing of a Biologics License Application (BLA) and Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for its Hemophilia A gene therapy in early 2025. Additionally, full data from the Fabry disease program is expected in the first half of 2025, with a potential BLA filing later that year, positioning Sangamo Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:SGMO) as an appealing partner for further development.
In Q3, Sangamo Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:SGMO) reported net income of $10.7 million ($0.04 per share) on revenues of $49.4 million. The company’s cash reserves, at $39.2 million, are projected to support operations through Q1 2025. Notably, Sangamo Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:SGMO) received $50 million in upfront payments from Genentech, with the possibility of earning up to $1.9 billion in milestone payments.
10. Caribou Biosciences Inc. (NASDAQ:CRBU)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 18
Caribou Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRBU) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in genome-edited allogeneic cell therapies for severe diseases. Unlike most CRISPR systems that use all-RNA guides, Caribou’s proprietary chRDNA technology incorporates both RNA and DNA to enhance precision and minimize off-target effects. If the company’s human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching hypothesis is successful, it could position Caribou as a leader in next-generation cell therapies.
The company currently has three clinical-stage allogeneic CAR-T cell therapies in phase 1 trials, targeting various hematologic cancers. Its lead candidate, CB-010, aimed at treating non-Hodgkin lymphoma, has been under clinical investigation since 2021.
On the financial front, Caribou Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRBU) ended the third quarter with $281 million in cash and equivalents, which it expects to sustain operations through the second half of 2026. R&D expenses rose to $30.4 million, driven by ongoing clinical trials, while licensing revenue declined due to the termination of a major agreement. Despite these financial shifts, the company remains committed to advancing its pipeline for long-term growth and innovation.