CRISPR Therapeutics Highlights Strategic Priorities and Anticipated 2026 Milestones

-2026 is poised to be a data- and milestone-rich year across the portfolio-

-CASGEVY®launch acceleration continues, supporting multi-billion-dollar potential-

-Broad pipeline supported by leading gene-editing and siRNA platforms across cardiovascular, autoimmune, oncology and rare diseases-

-Starting 2026 with a strong balance sheet with approximately $2 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities-

ZUG, Switzerland and BOSTON, Jan. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CRISPR Therapeutics (Nasdaq: CRSP), a biopharmaceutical company focused on creating transformative gene-based medicines for serious diseases, today highlighted its strategic priorities and anticipated 2026 milestones.

"Entering 2026, CRISPR Therapeutics is well positioned, with CASGEVY®gaining momentum, and multiple programs with encouraging data advancing rapidly through clinical trials across a diverse set of therapeutic areas,” said Samarth Kulkarni, Ph.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CRISPR Therapeutics. “Across the portfolio, clinical data demonstrated the transformative potential of CTX310™ for patients suffering from severe cardiovascular disease, as well as zugo-cel in oncology and autoimmune diseases. We also added a siRNA pillar through our partnership with Sirius and are advancing our lead siRNA asset, CTX611™ targeting Factor XI through the clinic. Beyond these clinical stage programs, we have multiple additional assets in preclinical development that leverage our best-in-class advanced editing platform. Together, our broad portfolio, strong balance sheet and effective operating model reinforce our confidence as we move into the next phase."

CRISPR Therapeutics continues to advance a diversified portfolio ofin vivogene editing programs leveraging its proprietary LNP delivery platform.

siRNA-based ProgramsCRISPR Therapeutics’ small interfering RNA (siRNA)-based portfolio includes clinical-stage programs in cardiovascular and thromboembolic diseases, developed in collaboration with Sirius Therapeutics.

Autoimmune Disease and Immuno-OncologyZugocabtagene geleucel (zugo-cel; formerly CTX112™) continues to advance in both autoimmune disease and hematologic malignancies.

Regenerative MedicineCRISPR Therapeutics continues to advance its regenerative medicine portfolio, including its efforts in diabetes. Clinical data generated from CTX211™ were promising, demonstrating detectable C-peptide levels 12 months after implantation. These data have informed the Company’s approach to hypoimmune cell engineering, supporting a transition to a next-generation candidate, CTX213™. CTX213 has demonstrated compelling preclinical efficacy and is progressing towards the clinic. The Company expects to provide additional updates as development progresses.

CASGEVY®is a non-viral,ex vivoCRISPR/Cas9 gene-edited cell therapy for eligible patients with SCD or TDT, in which a patient’s own hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells are edited at the erythroid specific enhancer region of theBCL11Agene. This edit results in the production of high levels of fetal hemoglobin (HbF; hemoglobin F) in red blood cells. HbF is the form of the oxygen-carrying hemoglobin that is naturally present during fetal development, which then switches to the adult form of hemoglobin after birth. CASGEVY has been shown to reduce or eliminate VOCs for patients with SCD and transfusion requirements for patients with TDT. CASGEVY is approved for eligible SCD and TDT patients 12 years and older by multiple regulatory bodies around the world.

CRISPR Therapeutics and Vertex established a strategic research collaboration in 2015 to discover and develop therapies using CRISPR/Cas9 technology to address the underlying genetic causes of human disease. CASGEVY is the first approved therapy to emerge from this collaboration. Under an amended collaboration agreement, Vertex leads global development, manufacturing, and commercialization of CASGEVY and shares program costs and profits worldwide 60/40 with CRISPR Therapeutics. Vertex is the manufacturer and exclusive license holder of CASGEVY.

CRISPR Therapeutics has established a proprietary lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery platform to enable gene editing in the liver using both CRISPR/Cas9 and its novel, proprietary SyNTase™ editing technologies. The Company’sin vivoportfolio includes its lead investigational programs, CTX310 (directed towards angiopoietin-related protein 3 (ANGPTL3)) and CTX320 (directed towards LPA, the gene encoding apolipoprotein(a) (apo(a)), a major component of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]). Both are validated therapeutic targets for cardiovascular disease. CTX310 and CTX320 are being developed for patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, mixed dyslipidemias, or severe hypertriglyceridemia, and in patients with elevated lipoprotein(a), respectively. In addition, the Company’s research and preclinical development candidates include: CTX460™, targeting SERPINA1 for the treatment of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD), CTX340™, targeting AGT for the treatment of refractory hypertension and CTX321, targeting LPA for the treatment of patients with elevated lipoprotein(a).

CTX611 is a novel double-stranded siRNA, designed to target the human coagulation FXI messenger RNA and inhibit FXI protein expression. Through modulation of the intrinsic coagulation pathway, CTX611 is intended to provide anticoagulant and antithrombotic effects. Supported by clinical experience to date, CTX611 is being developed as a long-acting FXI inhibitor with the potential to support infrequent, including semi-annual, subcutaneous administration.

Zugocabtagene geleucel (zugo-cel) is a wholly-owned, allogeneic chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy product candidate targeting Cluster of Differentiation 19 (CD19), in development for both autoimmune and immuno-oncology indications. Zugo-cel is an off-the-shelf allogeneic CAR-T that utilizes CRISPR Cas9 for targeted gene knockout and CAR insertion for immune evasion and enhanced T effector cell potency. Zugo-cel is given following a standard lymphodepletion regimen without the need for HLA matching. Zugo-cel is being investigated in ongoing clinical trials in adult patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, and inflammatory myositis and in adult patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell malignancies.

CRISPR Therapeutics and Sirius Therapeutics entered into a strategic collaboration in 2025 to develop and commercialize novel small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapies for thromboembolic disorders and other serious diseases. The lead program, CTX611, is a long-acting siRNA targeting FXI. Under the agreement, the companies will co-develop CTX611 and share costs and profits equally. CRISPR Therapeutics will lead commercialization in the U.S., while Sirius will lead in Greater China. The collaboration also provides CRISPR Therapeutics with the option to license up to two additional siRNA programs.

About CRISPR TherapeuticsFounded over a decade ago, CRISPR Therapeutics is a leading gene editing company focused on developing transformative medicines for serious diseases. The Company has evolved from a pioneering research-stage organization into an industry leader, marking a historic milestone with the approval of CASGEVY®(exagamglogene autotemcel [exa-cel]), the world’s first CRISPR-based therapy, approved for eligible patients with sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia. CRISPR Therapeutics is advancing a broad and diversified pipeline across hemoglobinopathies, oncology, regenerative medicine, cardiovascular and autoimmune, and rare diseases. The Company continues to expand its leadership in gene editing through the development of SyNTase™ editing, a novel and proprietary gene-editing platform designed to enable precise, efficient, and scalable gene correction. To accelerate and expand its impact, CRISPR Therapeutics has established strategic collaborations with leading biopharmaceutical partners, including Vertex Pharmaceuticals. CRISPR Therapeutics AG is headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, with its wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary, CRISPR Therapeutics, Inc., and R&D operations based in Boston, Massachusetts and San Francisco, California. To learn more, visitwww.crisprtx.com.CRISPR THERAPEUTICS®standard character mark and design logo, SyNTase™, CTX112™, CTX211™, CTX213™, CTX310®, CTX320™, CTX321™, CTX340™, CTX460™ and CTX611™ are trademarks and registered trademarks of CRISPR Therapeutics AG. CASGEVY®and the CASGEVY logo are registered trademarks of Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements made by Dr. Kulkarni in this press release, as well as regarding any or all of the following: (i) CRISPR Therapeutics preclinical studies, clinical trials and pipeline products and programs, including, without limitation, manufacturing capabilities, status of such studies and trials, potential expansion into new indications and expectations regarding data, safety and efficacy generally; (ii) data included in this press release, as well as the ability to use data from ongoing and planned clinical trials for the design and initiation of further clinical trials; (iii) CRISPR Therapeutics strategy, goals, anticipated financial performance and the sufficiency of its cash resources; (iv) plans and expectations for the commercialization of, and anticipated benefits of, CASGEVY, including anticipated patient access to CASGEVY; (v) regulatory submissions and authorizations, including timelines for and expectations regarding regulatory agency decisions; (vi) the expected benefits of its collaborations; and (vii) the therapeutic value, development, and commercial potential of gene editing technologies and therapies, including CRISPR/Cas9 and SyNTase, as well as other technologies. Risks that contribute to the uncertain nature of the forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the risks and uncertainties discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in its most recent annual report on Form 10-K and in any other subsequent filings made by CRISPR Therapeutics with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. We disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, other than to the extent required by law.

This press release also contains information regarding our industry, our business and the markets for certain of our product candidates, including data regarding the estimated size of those markets, and the incidence and prevalence of certain medical conditions. Unless otherwise expressly stated, we obtained this industry, business, market and other data from market research firms and other third parties, including medical publications, government data and similar sources. Information that is based on estimates, forecasts, projections, market research or similar methodologies is inherently subject to uncertainties and actual events or circumstances may differ materially from events and circumstances reflected in this information. This press release discusses investigational therapies and is not intended to convey conclusions about efficacy or safety as to those investigational therapies or uses of such investigational therapies. There is no guarantee that any investigational therapy will successfully complete clinical development or gain approval from applicable regulatory authorities.