Vertex and CRISPR Therapeutics Partnership Update

Image: Vertex Pharma is co-developing gene-based therapy for sickle cell disease (SCD) and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia (TDT). CTX001 may offer a potential cure for people that have SCD and TDT. By Callum Turcan We include shares of Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) in the Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio and continue to view the biotech company quite favorably. Our capital appreciation thesis on Vertex Pharma is partially built upon the “call option” related to potential upside that various partnerships, including that with CRISPR Therapeutics (CRSP), could uncover. Even if such promising partnerships don’t pan out, however, Vertex Pharma’s free cash flow growth outlook underpins the higher end of its fair value estimate range, which currently sits at $321 per share (well above where … Read more

Best Idea Vertex Pharma Is an Intriguing Biotech Play

Image Shown: A snapshot of Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc’s approved therapeutic offerings and its drug pipeline. Image Source: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc – January 2021 IR Presentation By Callum Turcan On January 12, we tweaked the Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio (link here) and added Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc (VRTX) to the portfolio to gain exposure to a top tier biopharmaceutical company with powerful growth catalysts, a pristine balance sheet, a stellar cash flow profile, and exposure to next-generation treatments (gene therapies) through a strategic partnership that we will cover later on. The top end of our fair value estimate range for Vertex sits at $321 per share. Commercial Portfolio Overview Vertex’s commercialized therapeutics portfolio is heavily weighted towards treating cystic fibrosis (‘CF’) across … Read more