CRISPR Therapeutics Announces the Appointment of Alex Harding, M.D., M.B.A., as Head of Business Development

Rhea-AI Summary

CRISPR Therapeutics (Nasdaq: CRSP) has appointed Alex Harding, M.D., M.B.A., as Senior Vice President and Head of Business Development, effective January 5, 2023. Dr. Harding has significant experience in biopharma, previously serving at Remix Therapeutics, where he was pivotal in raising over $150M and forming strategic collaborations. His expertise is expected to support CRISPR's growth and enhance its business development operations, as stated by CEO Samarth Kulkarni. CRISPR focuses on gene-based therapies utilizing its CRISPR/Cas9 platform for serious diseases.

Positive

• Appointment of Alex Harding expected to drive growth and enhance business development.
• Experience in raising significant funding and forming collaborations could benefit CRISPR.

Negative

• Potential concerns about continuity with new leadership.
• Gaps in experience may affect current strategic initiatives.

ZUG, Switzerland and BOSTON, Dec. 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CRISPR Therapeutics (Nasdaq: CRSP), a biopharmaceutical company focused on creating transformative gene-based medicines for serious diseases, today announced the appointment of Alex Harding, M.D., M.B.A., as Senior Vice President and Head of Business Development, effective January 5, 2023. Dr. Harding brings extensive leadership experience in biopharma business development and corporate strategy and joins CRISPR Therapeutics to lead the Company’s business development operations.

“Alex’s broad-based experience in strategic business development, venture formation and platform expansion will be critical in driving the next phase of growth for CRISPR,” said Samarth Kulkarni, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of CRISPR Therapeutics. “We are excited to welcome Alex to CRISPR and look forward to his leadership as we continue to advance our programs at this important time in our growth and evolution.”

Dr. Harding most recently served as Senior Vice President of Business Development and Corporate Strategy at Remix Therapeutics, a Boston-based biotechnology company developing small molecule therapies to modulate RNA processing. At Remix, Dr. Harding co-founded the company, sourced technology, helped set the strategic direction, and led financing efforts, raising over $150M from a top-tier investor syndicate (Seed, Series A, Series B). He also led business development processes, resulting in a collaboration with Janssen Pharmaceuticals. Before Remix, Dr. Harding was a Senior Associate at Atlas Venture, where he helped to start new biotech companies, including Triplet Therapeutics, Vedere Bio, Third Harmonic Bio, and Remix Therapeutics. Dr. Harding received an M.D. from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, with honors, and completed his residency in internal medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. Additionally, Dr. Harding received an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a B.A. from Yale University. Dr. Harding also continues to practice medicine at a community health center in Chelsea, Massachusetts.

About CRISPR Therapeutics
CRISPR Therapeutics is a leading gene editing company focused on developing transformative gene-based medicines for serious diseases using its proprietary CRISPR/Cas9 platform. CRISPR/Cas9 is a revolutionary gene editing technology that allows for precise, directed changes to genomic DNA. CRISPR Therapeutics has established a portfolio of therapeutic programs across a broad range of disease areas including hemoglobinopathies, oncology, regenerative medicine and rare diseases. To accelerate and expand its efforts, CRISPR Therapeutics has established strategic partnerships with leading companies including Bayer, Vertex Pharmaceuticals and ViaCyte, Inc. CRISPR Therapeutics AG is headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, with its wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary, CRISPR Therapeutics, Inc., and R&D operations based in Boston, Massachusetts and San Francisco, California, and business offices in London, United Kingdom. For more information, please visit www.crisprtx.com.

CRISPR Therapeutics Forward-Looking Statement
This press release may contain a number of “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including statements made by Dr. Kulkarni in this press release regarding the expected benefits of Dr. Harding’s employment, as well as statements regarding CRISPR Therapeutics’ expectations about the therapeutic value, development, and commercial potential of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technologies and therapies. Without limiting the foregoing, the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. You are cautioned that forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain. Although CRISPR Therapeutics believes that such statements are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of its knowledge of its business and operations, forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and they are necessarily subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk. Actual performance and results may differ materially from those projected or suggested in the forward-looking statements due to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: that clinical trial results may not be favorable or may not support registration or further development; uncertainties about regulatory approvals to conduct trials or to market products; that future competitive or other market factors may adversely affect the commercial potential for CRISPR Therapeutics’ product candidates; uncertainties regarding the intellectual property protection for CRISPR Therapeutics’ technology and intellectual property belonging to third parties, and the outcome of proceedings (such as an interference, an opposition or a similar proceeding) involving all or any portion of such intellectual property; and those risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” in CRISPR Therapeutics’ most recent annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly report on Form 10-Q, and in any other subsequent filings made by CRISPR Therapeutics with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. CRISPR Therapeutics disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, other than to the extent required by law.

CRISPR THERAPEUTICS^® word mark and design logo are registered trademarks of CRISPR Therapeutics AG. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Investor Contact:
Susan Kim
+1-617-307-7503
susan.kim@crisprtx.com

Media Contact:
Rachel Eides
+1-617-315-4493
rachel.eides@crisprtx.com

FAQ

Who is the new Senior Vice President at CRSP?

Alex Harding, M.D., M.B.A., has been appointed as the Senior Vice President and Head of Business Development.

What is the effective date of Alex Harding's appointment at CRISPR Therapeutics?

Alex Harding's appointment is effective January 5, 2023.

What experience does Alex Harding bring to CRSP?

He has extensive experience in biopharma business development, having raised over $150M at Remix Therapeutics.

How might Alex Harding's appointment impact CRSP?

His leadership is anticipated to drive CRISPR's growth and strengthen business development operations.