Core Viewpoint - Cibus, Inc. and Interoc have executed a non-binding Letter of Intent (LOI) to establish a framework for the commercialization of co-developed herbicide-tolerant (HT) rice traits in Latin America, with an initial market entry planned for Ecuador and Colombia in 2027, followed by expansion into Peru, Central America, and the Caribbean [1][4]. Group 1: Agreement and Market Strategy - The non-exclusive agreement outlined in the LOI signifies a major step towards full commercialization from the research and development collaboration initiated in January 2024 [2]. - The LOI anticipates that Interoc will market high-performing rice hybrids and varieties developed using Cibus' Rapid Trait Development System™ (RTDS™), addressing critical weed management needs in Latin America [3][4]. - The companies aim to achieve robust market share in the regions where the HT trait is commercialized, targeting accelerated trait adoption [4]. Group 2: Technological and Agricultural Context - Cibus has successfully integrated HT traits into Interoc's elite rice germplasm, which is now advancing to real-world field evaluations [2][5]. - The first traits for the rice market are two distinct herbicide tolerances, HT1 and HT3, which have been assessed in multi-location field trials across multiple seasons in the United States [5]. - The collaboration aims to provide new tools for Latin American growers to manage resistant weeds and protect yields, leveraging modern genomic techniques like gene editing [4][6]. Group 3: Company Profiles - Cibus is a leader in developing traits that address productivity, yield, and sustainability challenges, utilizing high-throughput gene-editing technologies to develop plant traits efficiently [7]. - Interoc specializes in research and development of crop protection technologies and high-performance hybrid seeds, with over 30 years of experience in the Latin American agricultural sector [8].

Core Insights - Beam Therapeutics (BEAM) is focused on developing gene therapy candidates for hematology and genetic diseases using proprietary base-editing technology, which minimizes errors by targeting a single base in the genome without causing double-stranded breaks in DNA [1] Pipeline Development - Risto-cel (formerly BEAM-101) is an ex vivo therapy in phase I/II BEACON study for sickle cell disease (SCD), showing mean HbF induction of over 60% and HbS reduction to below 40% in treated patients [2] - Initial safety and efficacy data for risto-cel indicated a significant increase in fetal hemoglobin and a reduction in sickle hemoglobin, leading to FDA orphan drug and Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy designations [3] - The company has initiated a phase I study for BEAM-103, an experimental anti-CD117 monoclonal antibody for SCD [4] - Beam is also developing BEAM-301 and BEAM-302 for glycogen storage disease type 1a (GSD1a) and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD), respectively, with updates expected in early 2026 [5] Competitive Landscape - Beam Therapeutics faces competition from other companies utilizing CRISPR/Cas9 technology, such as CRISPR Therapeutics, which has launched the first CRISPR/Cas9-based therapy, Casgevy, for SCD and beta-thalassemia [8] - Intellia Therapeutics is advancing in vivo candidates for hereditary angioedema and transthyretin amyloidosis, with pivotal studies expected to yield data by mid-2026 [9][11] Financial Performance - Over the past six months, Beam Therapeutics shares have increased by 58.7%, outperforming the industry average of 25.1% [12] - The company's shares are trading at a price/book ratio of 2.92, below the industry average of 3.65 and its five-year mean of 3.03 [13] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BEAM's loss per share for 2025 has widened from $4.23 to $4.44, with 2026 estimates also increasing from $4.21 to $4.60 [14]

Group 1 - Contrarius Global Equity Fund achieved a return of 30.9% in the September quarter, significantly outperforming the benchmark MSCI World Index which returned 7.3% and the Average Global Equity Fund at 5.5% [1] - The fund's investment strategy is independent of benchmark considerations, leading to portfolios that typically deviate from the benchmark World Index [1] - The fund's investor letter highlights its top five holdings, indicating its leading picks for 2025 [1] Group 2 - CRISPR Therapeutics AG (NASDAQ:CRSP) is a key stock highlighted by the Contrarius Global Equity Fund, specializing in gene-based medicines for serious human diseases [2] - CRISPR Therapeutics AG experienced a one-month return of 4.63% and a 52-week gain of 37.12%, with its stock closing at $53.97 per share on December 29, 2025, and a market capitalization of $5.143 billion [2] - The FDA approved the first CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing therapy for sickle cell disease in December 2023, after nearly six years of human clinical trials, marking a significant milestone for CRISPR Therapeutics AG [3]

Group 1 - Contrarius Global Equity Fund achieved a return of 30.9% in the September quarter, significantly outperforming the benchmark MSCI World Index at 7.3% and the Average Global Equity Fund at 5.5% [1] - The fund's investment strategy is independent of benchmark considerations, leading to portfolios that typically deviate from the benchmark World Index [1] - The fund highlighted its top five holdings, indicating its leading picks for 2025 [1] Group 2 - Intellia Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:NTLA) is a clinical-stage gene editing company with a one-month return of 12.84% but a 52-week loss of 21.61% [2] - As of December 29, 2025, Intellia Therapeutics, Inc. had a stock price of $9.14 per share and a market capitalization of $1.059 billion [2] - The treatment process for Intellia's Casgevy involves extracting stem cells, editing them, and administering a high dose of chemotherapy, which is physically demanding and costly, but the potential benefits outweigh the drawbacks [3]

Core Insights - BioMarin Pharmaceuticals Inc. (BMRN) is recognized as the second most promising gene editing stock according to analysts [1] - BMRN announced an acquisition of Amicus Therapeutics for approximately $4.8 billion, paying $14.50 per share, which enhances its position in rare metabolic diseases [2] - The acquisition is expected to close in Q2 2026 and will be accretive to non-GAAP earnings per share within 12 months, with substantial accretion beginning in 2027 [3] Financial Impact - The deal adds two marketed therapies from Amicus: Galafold for Fabry disease and the Pombiliti + Opfolda regimen for Pompe disease, which generated about $599 million in combined revenues over the past four quarters [2] - Analysts have a positive consensus on BMRN with an average price target near $88, indicating significant upside potential [4] Strategic Fit - Analysts from Leerink Partners, Oppenheimer, and Needham praised the strategic fit of the acquisition, highlighting its synergy with BMRN's global infrastructure and enzyme therapy focus [4] - The acquisition is expected to boost sales and long-term growth for BMRN [4] Company Overview - BioMarin Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a leader in genetics-centric biotechnology, focusing on turning genetic discoveries into therapies, particularly through gene therapy for rare genetic diseases [5]

Healthcare Innovation - A new nonprofit is addressing the high cost of gene editing, which hinders its potential to cure diseases [1] - The technology's proven ability to cure deadly diseases one person at a time is being hampered by multimillion price tag [1]

Industry Impact - The European Union negotiators reached a deal on new rules that pave the way for gene editing [1] - The gene editing technique will help farmers produce healthier animals and crops [1] Technological Advancement - Gene editing will assist farmers in adjusting to climate change [1]

Summary of Prime Medicine FY Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Prime Medicine (NasdaqGM:PRME) - **Focus**: Gene editing technology, specifically prime editing Key Points on Prime Editing Technology - **Definition**: Prime editing is described as the most versatile and safest method for genome editing, allowing for precise and permanent corrections in the DNA sequence [6][14] - **Comparison with Other Technologies**: - **CRISPR**: Effective for knocking out genes but has limitations such as off-target effects and potential immunogenicity [6][7][9] - **Base Editing**: Allows for single-letter changes in DNA but is limited to specific types of mutations [9][10][14] - **Prime Editing Advantages**: Capable of correcting larger mutations and multiple mutations simultaneously, with lower off-target effects [14][15] Industry Context - **Competitive Landscape**: Other companies, such as Tessera and Regeneron, are also developing prime editing technologies, indicating a competitive market [34] - **Market Need**: There is a significant unmet need for therapies targeting conditions like Wilson disease and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, which are suitable for prime editing [32][33] Corporate Strategy and Pipeline - **Recent Changes**: The company underwent restructuring to focus on high-value areas, reducing the number of programs from 18 to prioritize those with higher probabilities of success [31][32] - **Key Programs**: - **Wilson Disease**: Targeting specific mutations with no existing gene editing therapies [32] - **Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency**: A competitive area where prime editing is believed to provide superior outcomes [33] - **Cystic Fibrosis and Ex Vivo CAR T Programs**: Continued focus on these areas, while deprioritizing ocular and neurological programs [38][40] Development and Clinical Trials - **IND Timeline**: The company aims to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for Wilson disease in the first half of 2026, with proof of concept data expected by 2027 [48][49] - **Trial Design**: The Wilson disease trial will be a dose escalation study focusing on safety and efficacy measures, targeting patients with specific mutations [52][54] - **Biomarkers**: Various biomarkers will be used to assess treatment efficacy, including copper PET studies and ceruloplasmin levels [54] Off-Target Editing and Safety - **Off-Target Analysis**: Prime Medicine has conducted extensive off-target analysis for its programs, reporting no evidence of off-target effects in their first program for chronic granulomatous disease [16][31] - **Assay Development**: The company has developed its own assays for measuring off-target effects, which may differ from those used by competitors [17][30] Future Outlook - **Partnerships**: While the company is open to partnerships, it sees significant value in independently advancing its key programs [41][42] - **Long-Term Vision**: Prime Medicine aims to expand its portfolio beyond single products and diseases, leveraging its technology for a broader range of genetic conditions [41] Conclusion - Prime Medicine is positioned as a leader in the gene editing space with its prime editing technology, focusing on high-value therapeutic areas with significant unmet needs. The company is preparing for upcoming clinical trials and aims to establish itself as a key player in the competitive landscape of gene editing therapies.

Core Insights - Origin Agritech Ltd.'s Hi3 gene editing technology has been recognized as one of the Top 10 Major Progresses in Chinese Agricultural Science for 2025, highlighting its leadership in agricultural biotechnology and potential for enhancing crop yields and sustainability [1][2]. Group 1: Technology and Innovation - The Hi3 technology, developed in collaboration with China Agricultural University, represents a significant advancement in maize gene editing, establishing the first efficient genetic transformation system for maize induction lines [3]. - This system allows for rapid, fixed-point editing of major maize inbred lines, improving traits such as leaf angle to optimize plant architecture and enhancing maize yield at high densities within a single year, saving 3-4 years compared to traditional methods [3][4]. Group 2: Commercialization and Market Potential - Origin Agritech is actively advancing the commercialization of its gene-edited crops, with China speeding up the issuance of biosafety certificates for gene-edited crops like corn, soybeans, and wheat [4]. - The company has developed over 10 improved maize gene-editing induction lines targeting critical traits, with plans to initiate commercialization of its gene-edited corn varieties in the coming years [4]. Group 3: Management Perspective - The CEO of Origin Agritech emphasized that the recognition of the Hi3 technology validates the company's commitment to biotechnology solutions that address global food security challenges and positions the company for expanded market opportunities and enhanced crop performance [5].

Though editing humans is one of the most controversial pursuits in medicine, the rise of companies focused on it reflects a countervailing belief: that the capability to edit embryos creates an obligation to use it https://t.co/0iezo9kzan ...