Cathie Wood heavily bets on CRISPR! Gene editing therapy with 90% remission rate shocks the medical community

CRISPR Therapeutics (CRSP) develops gene editing therapies, with core technology CRISPR/Cas9. Cathie Wood is a heavy investor, and the stock price is $53.77, up 2.54%. Zugo-Cel shows a 90% remission rate and 70% complete remission in lymphoma trials. SLE patients experience B cell depletion within 48 hours, with remission lasting six months without medication.

Zugo-Cel’s Revolutionary Clinical Breakthrough

CRISPR Therapeutics recently announced the latest clinical data for its in-development gene editing therapy Zugo-Cel (formerly CTX112), shocking the medical community. Zugo-Cel is an allogeneic CAR-T therapy targeting CD19, a molecule abnormally expressed in various hematologic malignancies. Zugo-Cel uses the CRISPR/Cas9 platform for gene editing, aiming to enhance T cell activity and enable immune evasion.

In clinical trials targeting systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and other autoimmune diseases, Zugo-Cel demonstrated remarkable efficacy. Four patients treated with Zugo-Cel, including two with SLE and two with immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy, showed rapid and significant peripheral blood B cell depletion within 48 hours, with effects lasting at least 28 days.

Notably, the first SLE patient treated achieved drug-free clinical remission at six months post-treatment, bringing new hope for difficult-to-treat autoimmune diseases like SLE. SLE is a chronic autoimmune disease, traditionally requiring long-term immunosuppressants with significant side effects and no cure. The possibility of drug-free remission with Zugo-Cel suggests patients may avoid lifelong medication.

Zugo-Cel also shows strong potential in treating hematologic malignancies, especially large B-cell lymphoma. In a trial for relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma, Zugo-Cel achieved a 90% overall remission rate with a dose of 600 million cells, and 70% of patients reached complete remission. These results represent a major breakthrough for patients with limited options.

Data from the trial also show that 67% of patients maintained complete remission after one year, indicating that Zugo-Cel has both short-term and long-term efficacy. Further trials will explore its application in blood cancers and may become a primary treatment method in the future.

Disruptive and Commercialization Challenges of CRISPR/Cas9 Technology

CRISPR Therapeutics’ success stems not only from clinical progress but also from the powerful potential of its gene editing technology. CRISPR/Cas9 allows precise DNA sequence editing, enabling scientists to repair or replace genes at the cellular level, revolutionizing treatment for genetic disorders. Its core advantage is that CAR-T therapies can evade immune detection, while allogeneic therapies significantly reduce costs and treatment time.

Zugo-Cel Clinical Efficacy Data

Autoimmune Disease Treatment

· Achieved drug-free remission at 6 months post-treatment in SLE patients

· Rapid peripheral blood B cell depletion within 48 hours

· Effects last at least 28 days

Blood Cancer Treatment

· 90% overall remission rate in large B-cell lymphoma

· 70% of patients achieved complete remission

· 67% maintained remission after one year

· Effective for relapsed or refractory patients

However, CRISPR technology still faces challenges. In clinical applications, precision and safety of gene editing are critical; errors could cause severe side effects. Additionally, clinical trial costs are extremely high and time-consuming. Ensuring broad application and market competitiveness is essential for commercialization. Competition in gene editing is intensifying, with competitors like Editas Medicine and Intellia Therapeutics developing similar technologies. Regulatory and ethical risks are also significant; FDA approval processes are strict and lengthy, long-term safety data are still needed, and insurance reimbursement policies are uncertain.

Cathie Wood’s Investment Logic and CRISPR Stock Outlook

Cathie Wood’s Ark Invest is one of the main supporters of CRISPR Therapeutics. Ark holds substantial shares and is optimistic about the future of gene editing technology. Wood believes gene editing will be a major breakthrough in medicine, and CRISPR Therapeutics, as a leader in the field, is undoubtedly one of the most promising companies to invest in over the next decade.

Since its IPO, CRISPR Therapeutics’ stock performance has attracted attention. Despite the high risks associated with gene editing, its significant R&D progress continues to draw investor interest. As of the first week of 2026, the closing price is $53.77, up 2.54%, reflecting positive market response to its latest clinical data.

CRISPR Therapeutics exemplifies the immense potential of gene editing in healthcare. The company has made notable progress in treating autoimmune diseases and blood cancers through its innovative technology. As clinical trials advance, CRISPR Therapeutics could become a leading biotech enterprise. For investors, the future is full of opportunities and challenges, and Cathie Wood’s support adds confidence to its stock outlook.

However, investors should note that biotech stocks are high-risk, high-reward. Clinical trial failures, regulatory setbacks, or breakthroughs by competitors could cause significant stock volatility. CRISPR Therapeutics has not yet achieved stable profitability; its main revenue comes from licensing agreements and milestone payments, with commercial revenue still pending approval of more therapies.