Here are 1-3 brief analogies for Editas Medicine (EDIT):

• Moderna for gene editing. (Both companies are pioneering a revolutionary new platform technology—Moderna with mRNA, Editas with CRISPR gene editing—to develop transformative medicines.)
• Vertex Pharmaceuticals for genetic diseases, but with gene editing. (Similar to Vertex's success in developing highly effective therapies for genetic diseases like Cystic Fibrosis, Editas aims to tackle various genetic conditions, but by directly editing the faulty genes.)

• EDIT-301: An investigational gene-edited cell therapy being developed for the treatment of severe sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia.
• Early-stage Ocular Gene Editing Programs: Investigational CRISPR-based therapies designed to treat inherited retinal diseases through direct gene modification within the eye.

Editas Medicine (EDIT) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing gene-editing medicines. As such, the company does not sell directly to individuals but primarily engages in collaborations and partnerships with other pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies for the development and potential commercialization of its therapies and technologies.

Its major customer (or significant revenue-generating partner) is:

• Bristol Myers Squibb (Symbol: BMY): Editas Medicine has a strategic research collaboration and option agreement with Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) for the discovery, development, and commercialization of gene-editing medicines for a broad range of oncology indications. This partnership involves upfront payments, research funding, and potential milestone payments and royalties.

• WuXi AppTec Co., Ltd. (2359.HK)
• Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (TMO)

Gilmore O'Neill, President and Chief Executive Officer

Gilmore O'Neill joined Editas Medicine in June 2022, bringing over 20 years of experience in genetic medicine, neurobiology, and clinical development. He has a proven track record of advancing clinical programs and securing marketing approvals for several medicines, including Amondys®, Vyondys®, Spinraza®, Plegridy®, and Tecfidera®. Prior to Editas, he served as Executive Vice President of R&D and Chief Medical Officer at Sarepta Therapeutics. Before his time at Sarepta, he spent 15 years at Biogen in various leadership roles, most recently as Senior Vice President overseeing late-stage clinical development for programs in rare disease, gene and cell therapy, neuromuscular disease, pain, multiple sclerosis, acute neurology, movement disorders, and Alzheimer’s disease. He also serves on the Board of Directors for UNITY Biotechnology, Inc. and Aptinyx Inc.

Amy Parison, Chief Financial Officer

Amy Parison was appointed Chief Financial Officer of Editas Medicine in March 2025. She joined the company in August 2022, holding roles of increasing responsibility including Senior Vice President of Finance, Vice President of Finance, and Corporate Controller. Before her tenure at Editas, Ms. Parison served as the Corporate Controller at Rubius Therapeutics, Inc., a biotech company focused on cellular medicines, where she led the accounting team following its initial public offering. She also held various accounting and finance positions at Vertex Pharmaceuticals and began her career with PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP.

Linda C. Burkly, Ph.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer

Dr. Linda C. Burkly joined Editas Medicine in July 2023 as Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer. She brings over 35 years of experience as a biotechnology research leader, with expertise spanning drug discovery and development in immunological, neurological, and rare genetic disorders. Dr. Burkly has a notable record of inventing or contributing to the foundations of approved medicines and late-stage clinical candidates, and she is an inventor on 17 issued U.S. patents. Prior to Editas, she served as a Strategic Advisor at Exo Therapeutics, Inc. and an Advisor at Lightstone Ventures Capital Management, LLC. From 1985 to 2022, she was a Vice President and Senior Distinguished Investigator at Biogen.

Brieana Buckley, Senior Vice President, Development and Program Leadership

Brieana Buckley joined Editas Medicine in May 2023 as Senior Vice President, Development and Program Leadership, where she is responsible for leading program strategy and planning for the company's pipeline. She possesses over 20 years of experience in the healthcare and biotech industries. Prior to Editas, Ms. Buckley was Vice President of Medical Affairs at Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, where she played a critical role in the successful launch of the company's first commercial product. Her previous roles include Field Medical Lead of Rare Blood Disorders at Sanofi and various leadership positions in medical affairs, market access, and health economics and outcomes research at Biogen.

Damien Grierson, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Damien Grierson joined Editas Medicine in August 2020 as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. He is responsible for overseeing all legal matters, including corporate governance, SEC compliance and reporting, partnering and licensing, employment law, financings, and intellectual property strategy. Mr. Grierson has over 20 years of combined in-house corporate and law firm experience. Before joining Editas, he served as Senior Counsel at a public healthcare company and as Counsel at K&L Gates LLP, and an Associate at Cooley LLP and Shearman and Sterling LLP.

The key risks to Editas Medicine's business are primarily centered around the challenging nature of gene-editing therapy development, its financial sustainability, and the highly competitive landscape.

1. Clinical and Regulatory Risk: Editas Medicine's success is heavily dependent on the successful advancement and approval of its gene-editing pipeline candidates. The transition from preclinical to clinical stages presents significant hurdles, as promising preclinical results may not translate to human trials, and unforeseen side effects or safety concerns could emerge during human studies. The in vivo gene editing approach, a key focus for Editas, has not yet been proven in humans, introducing substantial technical challenges such as confirming precise delivery mechanisms and addressing off-target DNA risks. Aggressive timelines for achieving human proof-of-concept for its in vivo programs are viewed with skepticism by some, raising questions about scientific and regulatory hurdles. Regulatory bodies are also likely to scrutinize novel gene-editing therapies closely, potentially leading to stringent requirements for safety and efficacy data, extended development timelines, and increased costs.
2. Financial Challenges and Need for Additional Capital: Editas Medicine has incurred significant losses since its inception and operates with negative free cash flow. The company has experienced a decline in its cash reserves and faces a "liquidity deadline" by 2027 to secure partnerships or clinical breakthroughs to sustain its operations. High cash burn rates threaten its survival without near-term revenue-generating products, and the company will likely need fresh funding, which could result in dilution from new share issuances or expensive debt. Restructuring costs and workforce reductions have also impacted its financial position.
3. Intense Competition: The gene-editing space is highly competitive, with numerous well-funded rivals such as Intellia Therapeutics and CRISPR Therapeutics. CRISPR Therapeutics, for instance, already has an approved product, giving competitors a significant head start. This competitive pressure makes it challenging for Editas to differentiate its therapies and claim a dominant market position, even if its products reach commercialization.

The emergence and ongoing development of alternative, potentially more precise and safer gene editing technologies, specifically Prime Editing and Base Editing. Companies like Prime Medicine and Beam Therapeutics are actively advancing these platforms. These technologies aim to modify DNA without inducing double-strand breaks, a characteristic of traditional CRISPR/Cas9 and related systems like Editas' Cas12a. If Prime Editing or Base Editing platforms demonstrate superior safety, efficacy, or broader applicability in ongoing clinical trials, they could emerge as a significant threat by offering compelling alternatives that bypass some of the inherent limitations or safety concerns associated with Editas' core gene editing approach, potentially displacing their technology in various therapeutic areas.

Editas Medicine (symbol: EDIT) is developing gene editing therapies for several serious diseases. Here are the addressable market sizes for their main products or services:

• Reni-cel (previously EDIT-301) for Severe Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and Transfusion-Dependent Beta-Thalassemia (TDT):
  • For sickle cell disease, the market was valued at approximately USD 650 million in 2023 across the 6MM (U.S., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom). The United States alone accounted for about USD 603 million, or nearly 92% of this total market. The market is projected to grow substantially through 2034.
  • Specific addressable market size in monetary value for transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia was not identified in the search results.
• EDIT-101 for Leber Congenital Amaurosis type 10 (LCA10):
  • The global Leber Congenital Amaurosis market is estimated to be valued at USD 1.29 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 1.78 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.7% from 2025 to 2032.
  • Specifically for LCA10, the patient population with the IVS26 CEP290 mutant allele is approximately 1,500 in the U.S. However, efficacy for EDIT-101 was primarily observed in a smaller subset of about 300 patients who are homozygous for the IVS26 mutation. Editas Medicine has paused independent development of EDIT-101 and is seeking a partner due to this small patient population.
• EDIT-102 for Usher Syndrome type 2A (USH2A):
  • The Usher Syndrome Therapeutics market is projected to reach a market size of $500 million by 2025, expanding at a CAGR of 5% from 2025 to 2033. This market size is for Usher Syndrome therapeutics generally, with North America holding a substantial market share.
• EDIT-401 for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) / Hyperlipidemia (elevated LDL-C):
  • EDIT-401 is in preclinical development for the reduction of LDL-C, a major causal factor for ASCVD. A specific addressable market size for this product candidate was not identified in the search results.

1. Advancement and Potential Commercialization of EDIT-301: Editas Medicine has prioritized EDIT-301, its lead clinical program for the treatment of severe sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia. Progress in clinical trials for this program, leading to significant milestones and eventually commercialization, is a primary expected driver of future revenue.
2. Achievement of In Vivo Human Proof-of-Concept for Novel Gene-Edited Medicines: The company has made a strategic transition to focus on in vivo gene editing. Editas Medicine aims to nominate its first in vivo development candidate, with an Investigational New Drug (IND) filing projected by mid-2026 and human proof-of-concept by the end of 2026. Successfully achieving these milestones could unlock substantial partnership opportunities and investments, driving revenue. The company has already achieved in vivo preclinical proof of concept for hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell editing using a proprietary targeted lipid nanoparticle (LNP).
3. Strategic Collaborations and Milestone Payments: Editas Medicine has historically relied on strategic partnerships and associated milestone payments for revenue. The company continues to advance cellular therapy assets through collaborations, including with Bristol Myers Squibb and Immatics N.V.. A recent example includes a milestone payment triggered by an IND/Clinical Trial Application (CTA) acceptance for their CD19 HD Allo CAR T program as part of their collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb. Securing new collaborations or achieving further milestones in existing partnerships will be crucial for revenue generation.
4. Out-licensing of Non-Core Assets: Editas Medicine has discontinued internal investments in programs such as reni-cel (for sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia) and other inherited retinal disease (IRD) programs, including EDIT-101 and EDIT-103. However, the company is actively seeking partnerships or out-licensing opportunities for these programs. Successful out-licensing could generate upfront payments and potentially future royalties, contributing to revenue without incurring further internal development costs.

Share Issuance

• Editas Medicine announced the closing of an underwritten public offering of 6,900,000 shares of its common stock on June 26, 2020, at a public offering price of $31.25 per share, resulting in gross proceeds of approximately $215.6 million.

Inbound Investments

• Editas Medicine has raised a total of $210 million in funding over five rounds.
• The latest funding round was a Post IPO round on December 29, 2023, for $2 million, with participation from investors including Foresite Capital, Omega Funds, Deerfield, and T. Rowe Price.
• In the second quarter of 2025, Editas Medicine received a milestone payment from Bristol Myers Squibb following the acceptance of the first Investigational New Drug (IND) or Clinical Trial Application (CTA) for the CD19 HD Allo CAR T program, part of their collaboration.

Outbound Investments

• Editas Medicine has one investment in Nomad Health and has not made any acquisitions.

Capital Expenditures

• Editas Medicine expects its existing cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities, along with retained payments from its license agreement with Vertex Pharmaceuticals, to fund its operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into the second quarter of 2027.
• Research and development expenses decreased significantly in Q1 and Q2 2025 primarily due to the discontinuation of the clinical development of the reni-cel program, which was initiated in December 2024.
• The company is prioritizing capital efficiency and focusing its resources on advancing its lead EDIT-401 program towards human proof-of-concept by the end of 2026.