CRISPR Therapeutics: A Slow Burn, Not a Rocket

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So, CRISPR Therapeutics (CRSP +9.46%) is up today. Which, on the face of it, is a bit like finding a ten-pound note in a pair of trousers you haven’t worn since 1998. Unexpected, and certainly worth a closer look. They reported fourth-quarter revenue of a mere $864,000, a figure that suggests a rather quiet quarter, and a loss per share that, while not catastrophic, wasn’t exactly setting the champagne corks popping. Yet, here we are, shares nudging upwards. The world, as usual, is delightfully illogical.

The explanation, largely, is Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX +7.28%). Now, Vertex is a fascinating company. They’ve made a rather good living treating cystic fibrosis, and have now ventured into the brave new world of gene editing with CRISPR’s Casgevy. It’s a partnership that, for a dividend hunter like myself, is intriguing. It suggests a pathway to eventual, sustainable returns, though patience, as always, is required.

2026: The Year of Slow, Steady Growth

Casgevy, the gene-editing therapy for sickle cell disease, is, by any measure, a remarkable achievement. The first FDA-approved gene edit, no less! But let’s be realistic. Biotechnology, especially in its infancy, is rarely a get-rich-quick scheme. It’s a bit like planting an oak tree – you don’t expect a forest overnight. CRISPR Therapeutics, like many young biotech firms, is still navigating the tricky waters of losses and inconsistent revenue. They need a partner to scale up, to get this therapy to the people who need it. And that’s where Vertex comes in.

Vertex reported $54 million in Casgevy revenue for the last three months of the year. Not exactly a tidal wave, but encouraging. More importantly, they’re forecasting over $500 million in non-cystic fibrosis revenue in 2026, with Casgevy contributing a significant portion. It’s a slow burn, admittedly, but a burn nonetheless. It suggests a future where CRISPR Therapeutics isn’t entirely reliant on venture capital and the goodwill of investors.

The exact amount that will trickle down to CRISPR Therapeutics remains unclear, but the fact that Vertex is confident enough to make such a projection is, for a dividend-focused investor, a mildly reassuring sign. It’s not a guaranteed payout, of course, but it’s a step in the right direction.

Progress, But Brace for Turbulence

Vertex’s optimistic outlook for Casgevy shouldn’t come as a complete shock. It took a while to get the treatment centers up and running, and then each patient-specific treatment takes time to create. It’s a complex process, and it’s not cheap – over $2 million per patient, in fact. It’s enough to make one appreciate the relative affordability of, say, a small island.

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But it’s happening now, slowly but surely. Analysts have been predicting around $130 million in revenue for CRISPR Therapeutics in 2026, up from $3.5 million last year. And that’s just the beginning. Of the 60,000 potential candidates for Casgevy, only 147 have begun treatment so far. The potential, if they can scale up production and distribution, is substantial.

Of course, Casgevy isn’t the only trick up CRISPR Therapeutics’ sleeve. They’re working on other gene-editing therapies, too. It’s a pipeline, you see, and pipelines, while exciting, are also notoriously unpredictable.

Now, let’s be clear. CRISPR Therapeutics is still an unprofitable biotech startup. Its stock is likely to remain volatile for some time. Today’s pop isn’t a signal to rush in. Interested investors should focus on the long-term potential of the pipeline, and be prepared for a bumpy ride. It’s not a quick win, but a slow, steady climb. And sometimes, the slow climbs offer the best views.

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2026-02-13 22:02