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New York – Gene editing is growing after a Chinese researcher claims to have created the world's first genetically modified babies.
The trio of state-owned companies developing therapies using the technology known as Crispr, a method that He Jiankui claimed to use in China, outperformed his peers on Monday as the biotech market in general rebounded. Crispr Therapeutics grew by 4.5%, Editas Medicine by 3% and Intellia Therapeutics by 5.5%. Sangamo Therapeutics, a company using a gene editing platform called Zinc Finger Nuclease, grew by 3.4%.
Several Chinese institutions have distanced themselves from Jiankui's claims, which can not be verified without an independent review, but this has not prevented investors from returning to bullish bets on stocks with potential for success. And the group has shown resistance to previous potential failures, including studies suggesting the technique could promote cancer mutations in cells and the reluctance of US regulators in the first inhumane test of Crispr Therapeutic.
Crispr shares remain up nearly 60% this year, while Editas and Intellia have fallen by 6% and 8% respectively. The Nasdaq Biotechnology index, the broadest indicator of the sector's performance, lost 1.8% this year after the recent sale of the market.
The pioneer of the group, which shares the name of the editing technology, has enrolled its first patient in a European study and recently opened the US registry for patients with severe sickle cell disease in trials with his Vertex Pharmaceuticals partner. Analysts and investors are preparing for a first review of the results of the trial early in the development of their treatment in the treatment of high blood pressure by the European study next year.
Jiankui is expected to speak at a session on human embryo editing at the International Summit on the Human Genome Publishing on Wednesday in Hong Kong.
Bloomberg
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