For many years bluebird bio (NASDAQ: BLUE) has been in the lead for developing a potential cure for beta thalassemia and sickle cell disease. But CRISPR Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CRSP) and its partner Vertex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: VRTX) are looking to compete with a potential cure of their own. In this video from Motley Fool Live recorded on Dec. 7, Corinne Cardina, bureau chief of healthcare and cannabis, and Fool.com Contributor Brian Orelli discuss the differences between the two treatments and the data updates from the American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting.
Corinne Cardina : So we got some exciting updates at ASH, particularly in the battle for a cure for two genetic blood diseases. The first one is sickle cell disease and the second, you mentioned, beta thalassemia. CRISPR Therapeutics and Vertex Pharmaceuticals, they have a candidate called CTX001. They gave us an update, and then we also got an update from bluebird bio, their candidate is called beti-cel. Brian, what can you tell us about what these two treatments are and where they are in development?
For further details see:
Watch Out bluebird bio, CRISPR Is on Your Heels