CRISPR, Sirius team up on new thrombosis therapy

ZUG, Switzerland and BOSTON – CRISPR Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CRSP), currently valued at $3.3 billion and trading near its Fair Value according to InvestingPro analysis, and Sirius Therapeutics have announced a strategic partnership to develop SRSD107, a novel siRNA therapy targeting Factor XI, which is implicated in thromboembolic disorders. This collaboration, detailed on May 19, 2025, aims to address the unmet needs of patients at risk for life-threatening thromboembolic events.

SRSD107 has shown promising results in Phase 1 clinical trials, demonstrating over 93% peak reductions in Factor XI activity and more than a twofold increase in activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), with sustained efficacy up to six months post-dosing. The therapy is designed to reduce thrombotic events while minimizing bleeding risks, offering a potentially differentiated approach compared to existing Factor Xa inhibitors.

Under the terms of the agreement, CRISPR Therapeutics will make an upfront payment of $25 million in cash and $70 million in equity to Sirius Therapeutics. With a robust current ratio of 15.64 and more cash than debt on its balance sheet, as highlighted by InvestingPro, CRISPR appears well-positioned to fund this initiative. The companies will share costs and profits equally, with CRISPR leading U.S. commercialization and Sirius focusing on Greater China. CRISPR also gains rights to exclusively license up to two additional siRNA programs from Sirius.

The addressable patient population for SRSD107 includes those with atrial fibrillation, venous thromboembolism, cancer-associated thrombosis, chronic coronary artery disease, and other conditions where bleeding risks limit therapy options. The next step in SRSD107’s clinical development is a Phase 2 trial to assess its safety and efficacy in preventing venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty.

CRISPR Therapeutics, known for advancing the first-ever CRISPR/Cas9 gene-edited therapy into the clinic, expands its therapeutic toolkit through this partnership. The collaboration aligns with the company’s strategy to develop a broader range of gene-based medicines.

The information in this article is based on a press release statement. The potential for SRSD107 to offer infrequent dosing, reversibility, and lower bleeding risk compared to current therapies could represent a significant advancement in the treatment of thromboembolic disorders. While CRISPR maintains a FAIR financial health score according to InvestingPro, investors seeking deeper insights can access the comprehensive Pro Research Report, which provides detailed analysis of CRISPR’s financial position, market opportunities, and growth potential among 1,400+ top US stocks.

In other recent news, CRISPR Therapeutics reported first-quarter 2025 results that met analysts’ expectations. Clear Street analysts upgraded the company’s stock rating from Hold to Buy, setting a price target of $45, citing positive outcomes from the company’s ANGPTL3-targeting program. Meanwhile, JMP analysts maintained their Market Outperform rating with an $86 price target, highlighting promising data from CRISPR’s in-vivo programs and a robust cash position of $1.86 billion. Goldman Sachs reiterated a Neutral rating with a $57 price target after discussions with CRISPR executives about strategic directions and pipeline developments. Additionally, the FDA granted orphan drug designation to CRISPR’s treatment for follicular lymphoma, which uses genetically modified CAR T cells targeting the CD19 antigen. This designation is intended to encourage the development of treatments for rare diseases. The broader biotech sector, including CRISPR Therapeutics, experienced a downturn following the resignation of FDA’s top vaccine official, Peter Marks. Concerns over potential changes in the FDA’s regulatory approach have created uncertainty among investors.

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