Press Release

CRISPR Therapeutics Announces the Appointment of Jon Terrett, Ph.D. to Head of Immuno-Oncology Research and Translation

• Experienced leader with extensive experience in immuno-oncology
• Dedicated unit in immuno-oncology to accelerate efforts

BASEL, Switzerland and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Feb. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CRISPR Therapeutics (NASDAQ:CRSP), a biopharmaceutical company focused on creating transformative gene-based medicines for serious diseases, today announced the appointment of Jon Terrett, Ph.D. as Head of Immuno-Oncology Research and Translation. Dr. Terrett brings to CRISPR Therapeutics an impressive track record for discovering and progressing a number of immuno-oncology drug candidates into the clinic.

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Terrett join CRISPR to head up our immuno-oncology efforts,” commented Rodger Novak, CEO of CRISPR Therapeutics. “Given the potential of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in immuno-oncology, we have created a dedicated unit to accelerate our discovery and development efforts. We are excited about our progress to date and with the leadership of Dr. Terrett, we look forward to rapidly advancing our lead pre-clinical candidates to the clinic.”

Prior to joining CRISPR Therapeutics, Dr. Terrett was the Vice President of oncology discovery for CytomX, a U.S.-based biotechnology company focused on developing drugs to treat different types of cancer. In addition, Dr. Terrett has held various R&D leadership roles in biopharma, including serving as the Chief Scientific Officer at Oxford Biotherapeutics, and as a director at various biotechnology companies including Medarex, CellTech and Oxford Glycosciences. Dr. Terrett earned a B.S. in genetics at the University of Sheffield and a doctorate in genetics at the University of Nottingham.

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 gene-editing platform. CRISPR / Cas9 is a revolutionary technology that allows for precise, directed changes to genomic DNA. The company's multi-disciplinary team of world-class researchers and drug developers is working to translate this technology into breakthrough human therapeutics in a number of serious diseases. Additionally, CRISPR Therapeutics has established strategic collaborations with Bayer AG and Vertex Pharmaceuticals to develop CRISPR-based therapeutics in diseases with high unmet need. The foundational CRISPR / Cas9 patent estate for human therapeutic use was licensed from the company's scientific founder Emmanuelle Charpentier, Ph.D. CRISPR Therapeutics is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland with its R&D operations based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. For more information, please visit www.crisprtx.com.

CRISPR Forward-Looking Statement
Certain statements set forth in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including, but not limited to, statements concerning: the therapeutic value, development, the commercial potential of CRISPR/Cas-9 gene editing technologies and therapies and the intellectual property protection of our technology and therapies, and our ability to fund operating expenses and capital expenditures from existing cash resources. You are cautioned that forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain. Although the company believes that such statements are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of its knowledge of its business and operations, the 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: uncertainties regarding the intellectual property protection for our technology and intellectual property belonging to third parties; uncertainties inherent in the initiation and conduct of preclinical and clinical studies for the company’s product candidates; availability and timing of results from preclinical and clinical studies; whether results from a preclinical study or clinical trial will be predictive of future results in connection with future trials or use; expectations for regulatory approvals to conduct trials or to market products; and those risks and uncertainties described in Item 1A under the heading “Risk Factors” in the company’s most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q, and in any other subsequent filings made by the company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), 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. The information contained in this press release is provided by the company as of the date hereof, and, except as required by law, the company disclaims any intention or responsibility for updating or revising any forward-looking information contained in this press release.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jennifer PaganelliW2O Group for CRISPR
347-658-8290
jpaganelli@w2ogroup.com

INVESTOR CONTACT:
Chris BrinzeyWestwicke Partners for CRISPR
339-970-2843
chris.brinzey@westwicke.com

CRISPR Therapeutics AG