Editas Medicine

At the Cantor Fitzgerald conference, Editas Medicine presented a refocus on in‑vivo CRISPR therapeutics and is ending its ex‑vivo cell therapy activities. Lead program EDIT‑401 aims to increase LDL receptor production to lower LDL cholesterol; preclinical primate data showed an average LDL reduction of 90%. The company plans first patient dosing in 2024, safety data in Q1 2025 and topline data in H2 2027, and with $212 million in liquidity expects funding into H2 2028. Management highlights commercial potential but warns of regulatory and safety risks from permanent genome editing. » More on de.investing.com

The board of directors of Editas Medicine granted Dr. Daniel Ory, upon his appointment as chief medical officer, stock options to acquire up to 950,000 common shares at an exercise price of $3.03 per share. The price equaled the closing price on the grant date; the award was made as an inducement under NASDAQ Rule 5635(c)(4). The options vest over four years, with 25% becoming nonforfeitable after the first year on the 15th day of the following month and the remainder vesting ratably on a monthly basis. » More on de.investing.com

Editas Medicine is concentrating resources on EDIT-401, an intravenous single-dose CRISPR therapy to lower LDL cholesterol, Lp(a) and ApoB, which showed an average 90% reduction in preclinical studies in non-human primates. The company plans first patient dosing in 2024 in Australia; safety data are expected in Q1 2027 and initial efficacy data by the end of 2027. Management cites regulatory, manufacturing and clinical risks as main hurdles but, with $212 million in cash, has funding into the second half of 2028 and is targeting a U.S. entry in 2027, contingent on CMC documentation. » More on de.investing.com