Press Release

CRISPR Therapeutics Announces Two Presentations Demonstrating the Potential for CRISPR Gene Editing To Treat Sickle Cell Disease and β-Thalassemia

BASEL, Switzerland and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Nov. 21, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CRISPR Therapeutics (NASDAQ:CRSP), a biopharmaceutical company focused on creating transformative gene-based medicines for serious diseases, today announced two presentations during the 58^thAmerican Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting taking place in San Diego, CA on December 3^rd-6^th, 2016.

The two presentations will highlight recent work in re-creating the natural condition of hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH) that is protective in sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia. The presentations will describe the ability to re-create specific HPFH gene variants in the intended target tissue, human primary CD34⁺ stem cells, and the effect of these gene variants at re-creating the expression of protective fetal hemoglobin. Additional data on progress towards filing an IND or CTA will also be presented.

“We are excited by our progress and we remain focused on our goal of bringing potentially transformative therapies to patients with beta thalassemia and sickle cell disease,” said Dr. Rodger Novak, CEO of CRISPR Therapeutics. "We look forward to discussing data from our recent work at the upcoming ASH conference.”

Details of the presentations are as follows:

Title:	CRISPR/Cas9 – Mediated Genome Editing of Human CD34+ Cells Upregulate Fetal Hemoglobin to Clinically Relevant Levels in Single Cell-Derived Erythroid Colonies (Abstract #3623)
Presenter:	Bibhu Mishra, Ph.D., (Title)), CRISPR Therapeutics
Date:	Monday, December 5, 2016, 6:00-8:00PM PT - Hall GH (San Diego Convention Center)
Session:	112. Thalassemia and Globin Gene Regulation: Poster III
Title:	Re-Creating Hereditary Persistence of Fetal Hemoglobin (HPFH) to Treat Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and β-Thalassemia (Abstract #4708)
Presenter:	Bill (Sven Ante) Lundberg, M.D., M.B.A, Chief Scientific Officer, CRISPR Therapeutics
Date:	Monday, December 5, 2016, 6:00-8:00PM PT - Hall GH (San Diego Convention Center)
Session:	801. Gene Therapy and Transfer: Poster III

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.

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