By now, you’ve heard about gene editing.
Or, the ability to alter, remove, and even add a DNA sequence to help treat countless disorders we never thought treatable. At the moment, there are about 7,000 diseases caused by genetic disorders, which occur when a mutation affects your genes, or when you have the wrong amount of genetic material, as noted by the Cleveland Clinic.
Also, according to Interesting Engineering, “researchers have already identified DNA errors as the cause of nearly 7,000 diseases. Thankfully, the growing world of genome editing could be the ‘spell-checker’ needed to detect and eventually fix these.”
But what makes it even more exciting is a recent decision by a US FDA panel.
Earlier this week, CRISPR Therapeutics (CRSP) received a favorable US FDA panel review of its drug exa-cel for sickle-cell disease. Now, should the US FDA approve it on the panel’s vote, we could be looking at the first approved drug using gene-editing technology.
As noted by MarketWatch.com, “Citigroup said the overwhelming consensus from the discussion was that benefit/risk for exa-cel is exceedingly favorable, and that they expect an FDA approval with off-target monitoring language. Analysts at Truist and Mizuho also said they expect approval from the FDA, which has set a Dec. 8 target action date.”
That could be game-changing. Not only for those who suffer from sickle cell but the gene-editing industry at large. If CRISPR sees eventual approval heading into its FDA date of December 8, other big-league gene-editing stocks could see higher highs, too.
While investors can buy individual gene editing stocks, a better option is an ETF, such as the Global X Genomics and Biotechnology ETF (GNOM).