Citizens reiterates Market Outperform rating on CRISPR Therapeutics stock

Investing.com - Citizens has reiterated a Market Outperform rating and $86.00 price target on CRISPR Therapeutics (NASDAQ:CRSP), which has shown remarkable momentum with an 86% gain over the past six months. According to InvestingPro data, the stock is currently trading near its 52-week high of $78.48, with analyst targets ranging from $32 to $268.

The research firm noted that CRISPR Therapeutics believes its CTX460 program is positioned to deliver best-in-class editing and protein expression levels, potentially benefiting a broader patient population. Citizens estimates an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for CTX460 by mid-2026, with initial first-in-human data expected around mid-2027. InvestingPro analysis shows the company maintains a strong financial health score of GOOD, with more cash than debt on its balance sheet, providing runway for its development programs.

Citizens highlighted the superior editing efficacy demonstrated by CRISPR’s technology across two animal species compared to competitors. The firm pointed out that higher protein expression levels could provide additional benefits to patients, as current base editing technology saturates at 12uM of AAT protein, just above the 11uM threshold level for replacement therapy.

CRISPR Therapeutics aims to approach normal AAT levels of approximately 25uM, which could potentially represent a cure rather than just meeting minimum therapeutic thresholds. Patients with levels just above the current 11uM threshold still experience significant health issues, according to the research note.

Citizens acknowledged CRISPR’s rapid advancement in in-vivo editing over the past year and identified upcoming data presentation at the American Heart Association (AHA) meeting in November as a potential catalyst for the stock. Investors should note that CRISPR’s next earnings report is scheduled for October 29, according to InvestingPro, which offers comprehensive analysis and 14 additional ProTips about the company’s financial outlook.

In other recent news, CRISPR Therapeutics has reported promising preclinical data for its alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency treatment candidate, CTX460. The therapy showed significant efficacy in disease models, achieving over 90% mRNA correction and a serum M-AAT:Z-AAT ratio of more than 99% after a single dose. Additionally, CRISPR Therapeutics, in collaboration with Sirius Therapeutics, has dosed the first patient in a Phase 2 clinical trial for SRSD107, a therapy aimed at preventing venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. This trial will assess the safety and efficacy of SRSD107, which targets Factor XI to reduce pathological blood clot formation.

In terms of analyst ratings, BMO Capital has reiterated an Outperform rating with a $75.00 price target, highlighting potential in the thrombosis market. H.C. Wainwright also maintains a Buy rating with an $80.00 price target, noting the potential of SRSD107 in a large anticoagulation market. Furthermore, JPMorgan has initiated coverage on CRISPR Therapeutics with an Overweight rating and a $70.00 price target, suggesting that the company is at several strategic inflection points. These developments reflect growing interest and confidence in CRISPR Therapeutics’ pipeline and market potential.

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