CRISPR Therapeutics: Early Autoimmune Promise, Best-in-Class Oncology Data, and Eli Lilly Partnership Support Buy Rating

William Blair analyst Sami Corwin has maintained their bullish stance on CRSP stock, giving a Buy rating on December 10.

Sami Corwin has given his Buy rating due to a combination of factors that underscore CRISPR Therapeutics’ strengthening clinical and strategic position. He views the newest zugo-cel results as a net positive, noting that although the autoimmune dataset is still small and early, the achievement of a stringent remission benchmark in an SLE patient and meaningful clinical gains in other autoimmune cases highlight the promise of the platform. At the same time, he points out that the very slow enrollment pace in the autoimmune basket trial hints at intensifying competition for eligible patients, which he factors into his risk assessment.

In oncology, Corwin emphasizes that the updated zugo-cel data in relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma show response rates he considers at or near best-in-class, with initial signs that those responses may persist, supporting the long-term commercial potential. He also highlights the newly announced collaboration with Eli Lilly to test zugo-cel in combination with pirtobrutinib as a meaningful strategic upside lever that could broaden use in aggressive B‑cell lymphomas and bring in external validation and resources. Taken together—early but encouraging autoimmune signals, highly competitive oncology efficacy, and added optionality from the Lilly partnership—Corwin believes the risk/reward profile remains attractive and supports a Buy rating on CRISPR Therapeutics’ shares.

In another report released on December 10, H.C. Wainwright also reiterated a Buy rating on the stock with a $80.00 price target.