CRISPR Therapeutics Strengthens Executive Leadership Team with Key Appointments

-Naimish Patel, M.D., appointed to Chief Medical Officer-

-Julianne Bruno, M.B.A., promoted to Chief Operating Officer-

ZUG, Switzerland and BOSTON, May 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CRISPR Therapeutics (Nasdaq: CRSP), a biopharmaceutical company focused on creating transformative gene-based medicines for serious diseases, today announced the appointment of Naimish Patel, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer, effective May 28, 2024. Dr. Patel is an experienced drug developer who has worked across a wide range of disease areas, including his most recent leadership role as the Global Development Therapeutic Area Head of Immunology and Inflammation at Sanofi. In addition, the Company also announced the promotion of Julianne Bruno, M.B.A., to Chief Operating Officer, effective as of May 23, 2024. She currently serves as the Company’s Senior Vice President and Head of Programs & Portfolio Management.

“I’m thrilled to welcome a transformational leader of Naimish’s caliber to the executive team at CRISPR Therapeutics,” said Samarth Kulkarni, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of CRISPR Therapeutics. “His extensive drug development experience and proven leadership will be critical as we expand our portfolio and advance multiple assets in our pipeline.”

Dr. Kulkarni added: “Additionally, I am very pleased to announce Julie's promotion and I look forward to her continued contributions as we scale the Company. Since joining CRISPR Therapeutics in 2019, Julie has been a valuable member of the leadership team and has led several important and impactful cross-functional initiatives including our collaboration with Vertex. With this strengthened executive team, combined with our significant progress to date, CRISPR Therapeutics remains well positioned to rapidly advance our programs and deliver on our mission to develop transformative medicines for patients suffering from serious diseases.”

“CRISPR Therapeutics' compelling and innovative platform, exciting clinical assets and impressive manufacturing capabilities position the Company to potentially bring several transformative therapies to patients with significant unmet medical need,” said Naimish Patel, M.D., “I am incredibly excited to join the CRISPR leadership team and help bring these therapies to patients in need.”

Dr. Patel joins CRISPR Therapeutics from Sanofi, where he most recently served as the Global Development Therapeutic Area Head of Immunology and Inflammation. Previously, he was the Global Program Head for Dupilumab at Sanofi, leading multiple waves of indication expansion including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and eosinophilic esophagitis. During his time at Sanofi, Dr. Patel led the development of an industry-leading pipeline across key therapeutic areas including respiratory, dermatology, gastroenterology, and rheumatology. He also oversaw key business development and M&A activities during a rapid phase of pipeline expansion. Dr. Patel is a pulmonary and critical care physician with an extensive background in translational medicine and clinical trials.