Down 45%, Is Intellia a Buy?

Intellia Therapeutics (NASDAQ: NTLA) has announced a good deal of positive news in recent months, from progress in clinical trials to an expanded partnership with big biotech Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. The gene editing company doesn't yet have a product on the market, but its trial data in diseases of great need have been positive, and Intellia even plans on starting a phase 3 study as early as next year for one candidate.

This doesn't mean a product launch is right around the corner, but the company clearly is progressing, and rewards could be significant. The share price hasn't reflected the company's potentially bright future though. The stock has slid about 45% over the past year, missing out on this year's broader rally in growth stocks. Now, it's fair to ask: Is Intellia a buy at these levels, or does the biotech player represent too much risk? Let's find out.

Intellia specializes in gene editing, a market expected to grow in the double digits over the next ten years. Other players operate in this field, but they often focus on different treatment areas, suggesting there is room in the market for several companies to succeed. Gene editing involves the fixing of faulty genes involved in the disease process, so if it's successful, the technology could be a game-changer for patients -- and an opportunity for blockbuster revenue for companies.

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Source Fool.com