According to the National Academy of Sciences, there will be a dramatic increase in the research, complexity and development of biotechnology products enabled by CRISPR-Cas9. Common application areas for gene editing technologies, including CRISPR-Cas9, include agriculture, dairy, food, biomedical and clinical research, and human health and medicine. The technology also provides ample project opportunities in basic research.

The Coordinated Framework for the Regulation of Biotechnology is the main federal guidance that regulates biotech products. The guidance states that “genetically engineered products should continue to be regulated according to their characteristics and unique features, not their production method.” The Framework consists of the EPA, USDA and the FDA, with the respective agencies regulating the effects of genetically engineered products on the environment, agriculture and humans.

Federal funding for CRISPR-related research has radically increased, with NIH funding for the field jumping from $5.1 million in FY11 to $603 million in FY16. CRISPR-related research papers also greatly increased, rising from 86 in 2011 to 2,162 in 2016. Much of the increases in federal funding is due to the Human Genome Project program.

Although CRISPR-Cas9 technology is still in its early stages, it has received a great deal of interest and investments from financial and industrial sectors. Recent notable investments at CRISPR-related gene editing companies include $94.4 million raised by Editas Medicine in its February 2016 IPO. In March, the company inked a $90 million upfront deal with Allergan for the pharmaceutical company to license a maximum of five preclinical programs for eye disease. CRISPR Therapeutics AG has raised almost $140 million, raising $94 million in 2016 alone. The company also partnered with Bayer to establish the joint research venture Casebia Therapeutics, which is dedicated to commercializing therapeutics to cure blood disorders, blindness and congenital heart disease. Intellia Therapeutics had raised $538 million as of last month.

Source: Congressional Research Service