Top Biopharma Deal April 2021: CRISPR – Vertex for CTX001 for Sickle Cell Disease and Transfusion-Dependent Beta-Thalassemia
Top Biopharma Partnership by Upfront Cash and Equity
April 2021
CRISPR Therapeutics amending its development and commercialization deal with Vertex Pharmaceuticals for CTX001
Announced: Apr. 20, 2021
Total Deal Value: $1,100M
Upfront Cash: $900M
Upfront Equity: n/a
Option Payments: n/a
Milestones: $200M, reg.
Profit Split: 40% cost & profit to CRISPR
The Asset:
Phase I/II CTX001 autologous CRISPR-Cas9 modified CD34+ human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (hHSPCs) for severe sickle cell diseases and transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia.
Deal Structure:
Development and Commercial License
Partnership Features:
40% Cost and profit split to CRISPR; 60% to Vertex
The Details:
- CRISPR Therapeutics and Vertex Pharmaceuticals amended their 2015 deal to develop and commercialize gene editing therapies where Vertex had an exclusive option to license up to 6 targets.
- This expansion is for CTX001, a CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing therapy for severe sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia.
- Vertex will lead global development, manufacturing, and commercialization and will be responsible for 60% of program costs with 60% of profits, a 10% increase over its original agreement.
- CRISPR will be responsible for 40% of costs and will receive 40% of profits.
- CRISPR will receive $900M up front and is eligible for up to $200M in milestones upon the first regulatory approval.
Last Month:
The Deal of the Month for March 2021 was the Debiopharm – Merck KGaA deal for Xevinapant. Read about it here.
DealForma’s Deal of the Month selection is based on the largest disclosed upfront cash and equity total in partnership deals involving R&D as announced in the month prior to this article. Data for this analysis was compiled using the DealForma biopharma deals database. All data are based on publicly disclosed figures and deal terms. We invite you to answer interesting questions on biopharma business development and licensing using our data and carefully curated profiles on deals, pipelines, companies, funding, and business executives by visiting dealforma.com to schedule your personalized demo.
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