Pharma BD Deal Intelligence
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Full analysis, sources & comparables →Vertex Pharmaceuticals is paying CRISPR Therapeutics $100 million upfront and up to $230 million in milestones for access to CRISPR's gene-editing technology…
Vertex Pharmaceuticals and CRISPR Therapeutics have deepened their long-running alliance with a new $330 million licensing pact for gene-editing rights in type…
Vertex Pharmaceuticals and CRISPR Therapeutics have expanded their long-standing partnership with a new licensing deal worth up to $330 million centered on…
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Vertex paid CRISPR Therapeutics $100M upfront for non-exclusive rights to CRISPR/Cas9 technology to accelerate development of Vertex's hypoimmune (gene-edited) islet cell therapies for Type 1 diabetes; CRISPR is eligible for up to $230M in R&D milestones plus royalties on future products. The strategic goal is an off-the-shelf islet cell therapy that does not require chronic immunosuppression. Post-deal: Vertex's unedited islet program zimislecel (VX-880), which still requires immunosuppression, advanced to Phase 3 and posted positive 12-month ADA data in June 2025 (full-dose participants achieved insulin independence), with global regulatory submissions guided for 2026. A separate device-based immunosuppression-free route, VX-264 (encapsulated cells, no gene editing), missed its Phase 1/2 efficacy endpoint and was discontinued in March 2025 (~$400M asset impairment). The CRISPR-licensed gene-edited hypoimmune approach -- editing zimislecel-derived cells to cloak them from the immune system -- remains the active, preclinical path to an immunosuppression-free therapy, keeping the deal thesis intact.
| Deal | Year | Value | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated / CRISPR Therapeutics AG (this deal) | 2023 | $330M | — |
| Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated / Aurora Biosciences Corporation | 2001 | $592M | 95 |
| Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated / Semma Therapeutics Inc. | 2019 | $950M | 86 |
| Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated / Concert Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 2017 | $250M | 85 |
| Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated / CRISPR Therapeutics AG | 2015 | $2.6B | 85 |
| Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated / Alpine Immune Sciences | 2024 | $4.9B | 78 |
| Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated / Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 2026 | $10.0B | 68 |
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