Top 5 CRISPR Stocks To Buy

In this article, we discuss the top 5 CRISPR stocks to buy. If you want to see more stocks in this selection, check out Top 10 CRISPR Stocks to Buy. 

5. Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:DNA)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 25

Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:DNA) and its affiliated companies specialize in creating a platform for cell programming. The platform is used to program cells and enable the biological production of products like new therapeutics, food ingredients, and chemicals derived from petroleum. The company provides services to different markets, such as specialty chemicals, agriculture, food, consumer products, and pharmaceuticals. CRISPR has the potential to help treat genetic disorders, create new crops with higher yields or better resistance to disease, and even eradicate certain diseases altogether. This makes Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:DNA) one of the top CRISPR stocks to invest in, given the potential for further collaboration with industry leaders. 

On March 5, BTIG analyst Mark Massaro maintained a Buy recommendation on Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:DNA) but decreased the price target on the shares from $4 to $3. According to the analyst’s research note, Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:DNA) exceeded expectations in Q4 for its Biosecurity business but fell short for its Foundry business. The lower price target is attributed to a re-rating of multiples and reduced milestone payments. The firm also noted that Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:DNA)’s 2023 guidance does not include downstream economic capture at present, as the timing remains uncertain.

According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 25 hedge funds were bullish on Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:DNA), compared to 24 funds in the last quarter. 

4. CRISPR Therapeutics AG (NASDAQ:CRSP)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 28

CRISPR Therapeutics AG (NASDAQ:CRSP) is a company that specializes in gene editing and aims to create gene-based medications for severe diseases using its CRISPR/Cas9 platform. This technology allows for highly specific and directed changes to the genomic DNA. CRISPR Therapeutics AG (NASDAQ:CRSP) has several therapeutic programs in its portfolio that address various disease areas, such as hemoglobinopathies, oncology, regenerative medicine, and rare diseases. It is one of the best CRISPR stocks to invest in. 

On April 13, Cantor Fitzgerald started coverage of CRISPR Therapeutics AG (NASDAQ:CRSP) with an Overweight rating and a price target of $72. According to the firm’s research note, CRISPR Therapeutics AG (NASDAQ:CRSP) is a promising gene editing company and an attractive investment option for 2023. The firm believes that the company has a strong likelihood of commercializing the first-ever CRISPR gene therapy later this year. Cantor Fitzgerald also sees the stock’s risk/reward potential as favorable, particularly for what they expect to be a busy and transformative year for CRISPR Therapeutics AG (NASDAQ:CRSP).

According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 28 hedge funds were bullish on CRISPR Therapeutics AG (NASDAQ:CRSP), compared to 29 funds in the last quarter. Steven Boyd’s Armistice Capital is a significant position holder in the company, with 1 million shares worth $42 million. 

3. Intellia Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:NTLA)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 39

Intellia Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:NTLA) is a genome editing company that focuses on developing curative therapeutics. Their programs include in vivo treatments for diseases such as transthyretin amyloidosis and hereditary angioedema, as well as ex vivo treatments for acute myeloid leukemia. They also offer tools that utilize the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The company also has proprietary programs that aim to develop engineered cell therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases. It is one of the top CRISPR stocks to buy. 

On April 13, Canaccord analyst Whitney Ijem gave Intellia Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:NTLA) a Buy rating and a price target of $66. The analyst said that while Intellia Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:NTLA)’s focus on in-vivo gene editing in large, rare indications may not be the fastest path to the clinic compared to other early CRISPR peer companies, the company’s “methodical approach has paid off.” The analyst noted that Phase 1 data from both lead program NTLA-2001 in ATTR and wholly-owned NTLA-2002 in HAE look promising on the safety and efficacy side. Furthermore, progress through Phase 2 and into pivotal studies over the next 6-12 months should continue to provide value creation opportunities, Ijem told investors in a research note. 

According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 39 hedge funds were bullish on Intellia Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:NTLA), compared to 36 funds in the prior quarter. Cathie Wood’s ARK Investment Management is the biggest position holder in the company, with 9.4 million shares worth $328.7 million. 

Carillon Tower Advisers discussed its stance on Intellia Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:NTLA) in its Q2 2021 investor letter.

“Intellia Therapeutics is a clinical-stage genome editing company focused on the development of proprietary, potentially curative therapeutics. The company’s stock soared after announcing positive interim data from an ongoing phase 1 clinical study of its in vivo gene editing candidate, which is being developed as a single-dose treatment for hereditary transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis. This specific form of therapy would be the first of its kind resulting in the precision editing of a gene in a target tissue in the human body.”

2. Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:A)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 48

Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:A) offers solutions for life sciences, applied chemical, and diagnostics markets. The company’s Diagnostics and Genomics division provides various arrays and software for DNA analysis and interpretation, including mutation detection, genotyping, gene copy number determination, gene rearrangement identification, DNA methylation profiling, gene expression profiling, next generation sequencing, target enrichment, genetic data management, and oligonucleotide synthesis. Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:A) is one of the best CRISPR stocks to invest in. 

On March 1, Credit Suisse analyst Dan Leonard increased Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:A)’s price target from $165 to $170 and maintained an Outperform rating on the stock after a strong fourth quarter. The analyst believes that the company’s potential to grow towards the upper end of the industry across various macro environments is not fully appreciated by the market.

According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 48 hedge funds were bullish on Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:A), compared to 46 funds in the last quarter. Ian Simm’s Impax Asset Management is the largest stakeholder of the company, with 3.92 million shares worth $586.7 million. 

Cooper Investors made the following comment about Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:A) in its Q4 2022 investor letter:

“Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:A) finished a great year with +12% organic growth after a +15% year in 2021. As a supplier of liquid chromatography/ mass spectrometry instruments into the life sciences industry, Agilent enjoyed a period of supernormal growth over the 2020-2021 COVID pandemic. Like several of our healthcare and diagnostics investments Agilent de-rated quite sharply in the first half of 2022 as the market ‘faded’ the decline in COVID testing revenues. In our view this short term volatility obscures the high quality of Agilent’s business and long term growth opportunities. One example is environmental testing as mandated by the US EPA where US$4bn of funding in the infrastructure bill has been put aside for PFAS testing. As CEO Mike McMullen noted on the last call, ‘it’s the first time in my career we’ve seen this kind of government money coming in’.”

1. Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 60

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX) is a biotechnology company that develops and commercializes therapies for treating cystic fibrosis. It sells its products to specialty pharmacies and distributors in the United States, as well as retail pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics. Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX) also has collaborations with other biotech companies including CRISPR Therapeutics, Moderna, Kymera Therapeutics, and more. It is one of the top CRISPR stocks to invest in. 

On March 27, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX) entered into a licensing agreement with CRISPR Therapeutics to speed up the development of its hypo-immune cell therapies for type 1 diabetes. Vertex will pay a $100 million upfront payment to CRISPR for non-exclusive rights to its gene-editing technology for the development of hypo-immune gene-edited cell therapies for T1D. CRISPR will also receive up to $230 million in research and development milestones and will receive royalties on any future products resulting from the agreement.

According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 60 hedge funds were bullish on Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX), compared to 49 funds in the last quarter. Cliff Asness’ AQR Capital Management is a prominent stakeholder of the company, with 587,594 shares worth $168.5 million. 

Artisan Partners made the following comment about Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX) in its Q3 2022 investor letter:

“Biotechnology company Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX) dominates the market for treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) with limited competition. In addition to solid growth in CF revenues that has driven better-than-expected results, positive progress in its development pipeline has lifted shares. At the time of our Q2 2021 purchase, the stock was under pressure due to regulatory hurdles and Vertex’s decision not to pursue late-stage development of VX-864 after an unexpectedly unfavorable outcome. VX-864 is designed to treat alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD), which is an inherited disorder with a strong correlation to pediatric liver disease. Irrespective of Vertex’s AATD pipeline, the company has nearly two decades of patent protection remaining for its CF franchise. Management maintains a healthy reserve of cash and is focusing on research and development. We believe near-term growth is likely to be driven by Vertex’s expanding geographic presence and expansion of medicines to lower age groups, with long-term gains arising from the company’s diversifying pipeline.”

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