Gene therapy makers rise after US FDA's chief medical and science officer departs

Crispr Therapeutics AG

30/07/2025 15:02

Updates

** Shares of gene therapy makers rise after the departure of Vinay Prasad, the FDA's chief medical and science officer

** Sarepta Therapeutics SRPT.O up 13.8%, Capricor CAPR.O up 16.3%, U.S.-listed shares of Crispr Therapeutics CRSP.O up 1.5%

** Prasad has left the health regulator, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the FDA, said on Tuesday

** Prasad's departure follows a number of controversial decisions by the FDA regarding SRPT's gene therapy Elevidys

** BMO Capital Markets says, "Prasad's departure is a big positive for biotech in general and cell and gene therapies in particular, given that Prasad's appointment was perceived as a 'worst-case scenario' by investors"

** Leerink Partners views this "development as a positive for rare disease and genetic medicines, negative for vaccines, and unclear for oncology"

** Drug developer Replimune Group's REPL.O shares also up 55.6% at $5.84

** In July, the FDA also declined to approve REPL's experimental skin cancer drug, RP1 for advanced melanoma and CAPR's cell therapy for a heart condition

** Inculding session moves, REPL down 46.7%, CAPR down 42%, SRPT down 84.6% while CRSP up 54.6% YTD

(Reporting by Siddhi Mahatole)

((siddhi.mahatole@thomsonreuters.com))