By now, many investors have probably heard enough about CRISPR (clustered repeating interspaced short palindromic repeats) to be relatively familiar with the idea. And they likely know that gene-editing technology has the potential to change the treatment of many diseases by modifying DNA to correct mutations. CRISPR could even cure diseases in some cases.
But some investors might not be familiar with the exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tracking gene-editing stocks. There are now several ETFs that focus largely on CRISPR and gene editing in general.
Best CRISPR and gene-editing ETFs
Best CRISPR and gene-editing ETFs
Quite a few biotech ETFs are available for investors to buy. The number of CRISPR and gene-editing ETFs, however, is more limited. Here are the top five ETFs that focus on CRISPR gene editing.
| ETF | Expense Ratio |
|---|---|
| ARK Genomic Revolution ETF (NYSEMKT:ARKG) | 0.75% |
| Global X Genomics & Biotechnology ETF (NASDAQ:GNOM) | 0.5% |
| Invesco Dynamic Biotechnology & Genome ETF (NYSEMKT:PBE) | 0.58% |
| iShares Genomics Immunology and Healthcare ETF (NYSEMKT:IDNA) | 0.47% |
| Wisdom Tree BioRevolution Fund (BATS:WDNA) | 0.45% |
1. ARK Genomic Revolution ETF
1. ARK Genomic Revolution ETF
ARK Genomic Revolution ETF is one of several ETFs established by Cathie Wood's ARK Invest. It's an actively managed ETF that focuses on companies that stand to benefit from incorporating genomics into their businesses. Although the fund isn't limited to CRISPR and genome-editing stocks, there are several in its portfolio.
The ETF's second-largest holding is CRISPR Therapeutics (CRSP -1.7%), which is a pioneer in CRISPR gene editing. ARK Genomic Revolution ETF also owns shares of other drugmakers with CRISPR therapies in development or on the market, including Beam Therapeutics (BEAM -1.43%), Intellia Therapeutics (NTLA -5.85%), Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (REGN 0.57%) (which is partnering with Intellia), and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX -2.46%).
Vertex and CRISPR Therapeutics won U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for CRISPR gene-editing therapy Casgevy in December 2023 as a treatment for sickle cell disease. The two partners followed up in January 2024 by securing FDA approval for the therapy in treating transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia.
2. Global X Genomics & Biotechnology ETF
2. Global X Genomics & Biotechnology ETF
Global X Genomics & Biotechnology ETF is run by the South Korean investment firm Mirae Asset Financial Group. This ETF looks for companies that should benefit from advances in genomics, including breakthroughs in gene editing and genomic sequencing.
GNOM currently owns 49 stocks. Five of them -- CRISPR Therapeutics, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Intellia Therapeutics, Beam Therapeutics, and Verve Therapeutics (NASDAQ:VERV) -- market or are developing CRISPR gene-editing therapies. Two other holdings, Genscript and Agilent (A 0.56%), offer CRISPR products and services to drug developers and researchers.
3. Invesco Dynamic Biotechnology & Genome ETF
3. Invesco Dynamic Biotechnology & Genome ETF
The Invesco Dynamic Biotechnology & Genome ETF seeks to track an index of 30 U.S. biotechnology and genome companies. Not all of these companies focus on CRISPR or other types of gene editing, but several do.
Among PBE's top 10 holdings, two have connections with gene editing: Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Gilead Sciences (GILD 8.25%). Vertex partnered with CRISPR Therapeutics to market CRISPR gene editing therapy Casgevy. Gilead teamed up with Sangamo Therapeutics (SGMO -5.8%) to develop cancer cell therapies using Sangamo's zinc-finger nuclease (ZFN) gene-editing method, an older technology than CRISPR.
4. iShares Genomics Immunology and Healthcare ETF
4. iShares Genomics Immunology and Healthcare ETF
The iShares Genomics Immunology and Healthcare ETF attempts to track an index of companies in developed and emerging markets that focus on genomics, immunology, and bioengineering. It currently owns positions in 51 pharmaceutical and biotech stocks.
This ETF's holdings include five previously mentioned stocks with CRISPR gene-editing ties that are owned by the other ETFs on the list: CRISPR Therapeutics, Verve Therapeutics, Beam Therapeutics, Intellia Therapeutics, and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.
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5. WisdomTree BioRevolution Fund
5. WisdomTree BioRevolution Fund
The WisdomTree BioRevolution Fund seeks to track the performance of an index consisting of companies that "will be significantly transformed by advancements in genetics and biotechnology." Like the other ETFs discussed previously, WDNA doesn't limit itself to only CRISPR or gene-editing stocks.
This fund owns several CRISPR gene editing stocks that are in the other listed ETFs' portfolios: Beam Therapeutics, CRISPR Therapeutics, Gilead Sciences, Intellia Therapeutics, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, and Verve Therapeutics. It also owns shares of AstraZeneca (AZN -0.67%) and Caribou Biosciences (CRBU -4.42%), both of which are developing CRISPR gene editing therapies.
