The strategic reorganisation will result in a net workforce reduction of approximately 27%. Credit: robuart via Getty Images.

CRISPR biotech Intellia Therapeutics has announced plans to reduce its workforce by 27% and halt early-stage R&D programmes as it concentrates resources on two late-stage drug candidates.

Intellia will focus on NTLA-2002 for hereditary angioedema and nexiguran ziclumeran (nex-z) for treating transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis. The company – which estimates an $8m charge for the layoffs and reorganisation – is in its second consecutive year of significant cuts, following a 15% workforce reduction in January 2024, alongside other research programme pauses.

Intellia’s strategic pivot comes as it seeks to transition from a research-focused biotech to a commercial-stage company, aiming to launch its first commercial therapies in 2027. The company ended 2024 with $862m in cash, which it says will fund operations through the first half of 2027, including its three ongoing Phase III clinical trials.

Intellia is prioritising NTLA-2002, a one-time CRISPR-based treatment targeting the kallikrein B1 (KLKB1) gene implicated in hereditary angioedema . The therapy is currently being investigated in the Phase III HAELO trial (NCT06634420) and could become the first approved in vivo CRISPR therapy. Preliminary Phase II results suggested NTLA-2002 could offer a “functional cure” for hereditary angioedema by reducing the frequency of life-threatening inflammatory attacks. Patient dosing in the HAELO trial is set to begin this quarter, with regulatory filings expected in 2026.

Similarly, nex-z is in late-stage trials for ATTR amyloidosis, a rare condition caused by the accumulation of misfolded transthyretin protein. Intellia is running two Phase III studies: MAGNITUDE (NCT06128629) for ATTR amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM), and MAGNITUDE-2 (NCT06672237), for patients with hereditary ATTR amyloidosis with polyneuropathy. Patient recruitment for MAGNITUDE is ongoing, with dosing for MAGNITUDE-2 expected in Q1 2025.

According to GlobalData’s Pharma Intelligence Center, NTLA-2002 will generate $534m in 2030, with nex-z set to pull in $1.2bn in the same year, if approved.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

GlobalData is the parent company of Pharmaceutical Technology.

Among the programmes being discontinued is the CRISPR-based gene therapy dubbed NTLA-3001 designed to treat alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD)-associated lung disease by correcting a mutation in the SERPINA1 gene. Preparations for Phase I/II trials of NTLA-3001 have been halted, along with other exploratory-stage projects.

In the statement accompanying the strategic reorganisation, CEO John Leonard said the decision to focus on NTLA-2002 and nex-z reflects Intellia’s need to allocate resources where it has “the greatest opportunity to create significant, near-term value,” citing a challenging market environment. As part of its transition, Intellia plans to build out a commercial leadership team by H2 2025 and increase medical education efforts to prepare for potential product launches in the coming years.