Ark’s Cathie Wood reveals ‘overlooked’ investment opportunity
Investors could be making a mistake by ignoring a groundbreaking medical procedure that saved a young cancer patient’s life, according to high-profile fund manager Cathie Wood.
Last month, BBC reported that GOSH, a research hospital in the UK, ‘base edited’ the genome of a 12-year-old girl, Alyssa, suffering from leukemia.
Dozens of therapies had previously failed to save her life and she appeared to have no more options, but after the bold genomic experiment, is now cancer-free.
“While one cure does not a trend make, few analysts are discounting any possibility that gene editing might cure cancer,” said Wood, the CEO and Founder of Ark Invest.
“In our view, US equity markets today are 180 degrees away from those in the tech and telecom bubble in the late nineties.
“Unlike the case then, the technologies are ready and the costs are low enough for prime time. Investors chased the dream then. Now, they are running away.”
News being ‘suffocated’ by bear market
Wood says news of the successful gene editing procedure made a splash at the American Society of Hematology conference, but was largely suffocated by the bear market last year.
However, the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, took notice of Wood’s comments and tweeted “wow” in response.
Some experts believe the potential for gene editing to revolutionize the way we approach cancer treatment cannot be ignored.
And while it may be too early to say definitively that gene editing will cure cancer, Wood says the success of this procedure in saving Alyssa’s life is a promising step forward.
Which companies are exploring gene editing?
There are several companies working in the field of gene editing and gene therapy.
Some examples include:
- CRISPR Therapeutics: A company focused on developing gene-based therapies using the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system.
- Editas Medicine: A project using CRISPR technology to develop therapies for a variety of genetic diseases.
- Intellia Therapeutics: This company is also using CRISPR technology to develop therapies for genetic diseases and other conditions.
- Bluebird Bio: Focused on developing gene therapies for severe genetic disorders and cancer.
- UniQure: Developing gene therapies for rare and orphan diseases.
These are just a few examples of the companies working in this field.
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