CRSP Posts Wider-Than-Expected Loss in Q4, Sales Miss Estimates

Financial Performance - CRISPR Therapeutics reported a fourth-quarter 2025 loss of $1.37 per share, which was wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $1.15, compared to a loss of 44 cents per share in the same quarter last year [1] - Total revenues for the quarter were $0.9 million, significantly missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.0 million, and down from $35.7 million in the year-ago period, which included $35 million in collaboration revenues from Vertex Pharmaceuticals [2] - Research and development (R&D) expenses increased by 16% year over year to $83.5 million, while general and administrative expenses rose about 2% to $18.4 million [8] Stock Performance - Shares of CRISPR Therapeutics declined in after-market trading due to the wider-than-expected loss, with the stock rising nearly 13% over the past year compared to the industry's 19% growth [3] Product Development and Sales - CRISPR Therapeutics and Vertex Pharmaceuticals' gene therapy, Casgevy, is approved in the U.S. and Europe for sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia, with Vertex leading global development and commercialization [5] - Vertex reported Casgevy sales of $54 million in the fourth quarter, up from $16.9 million in the previous quarter, contributing to full-year 2025 sales of $116 million [6] - The company plans to file for label expansions for Casgevy in patients aged five to 11 years in the first half of 2026, utilizing the Commissioner's National Priority Voucher to expedite the FDA review process [11] Pipeline Updates - CRISPR Therapeutics is advancing CAR-T cell therapies, with updates on the candidate zugo-cel expected in the second half of 2026 [12] - The company is also focusing on in-vivo candidates, particularly CTX310 for severe hypertriglyceridemia and refractory hypercholesterolemia, with updates anticipated in the second half of 2026 [13] - A collaboration with Sirius Therapeutics is diversifying the pipeline into RNA therapeutics, with an investigational RNA therapy CTX611 in mid-stage studies for preventing venous thromboembolism, with top-line data expected in the second half of 2026 [14] Financial Position - As of December 31, 2025, CRISPR Therapeutics had cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities worth $1.98 billion, an increase from $1.94 billion as of September 30, 2025, primarily due to proceeds from common share issuance [10]