I am a man of science. I love bleeding-edge technology and the intellectual and financial capital at its core, asserts growth stock and options trading expert Jim Woods, editor of High Velocity Options.
One sector of the market making profitable use of these two key ingredients is biotech, and specifically biotech that can alter the very blueprints of life.
Here, I am referring to “gene splicing,” and companies are using this technology to treat genetic ailments. On such company is CRISPR Therapeutics (CRSP). As the name tells us, the company uses the CRISPR gene editing techniques to develop new drug therapies.
CRISPR Therapeutics announced that it will begin asking the Food and Drug Administration to approve what would be the first-ever gene-editing treatment to hit the market using CRISPR’s technology to treat blood diseases. CRSP rose on the news, but that’s not the stock I like here. Instead, I like CRISPR’s partner, Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX).
Along with CRSP, VRTX’s managers said that they would begin submitting their joint application for the blood diseases treatment in November. They plan to finish that process in the first quarter of 2023. They are seeking approval for treatments for sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia.
The promise of gene therapy is amazing. However, promise alone isn’t what makes a stock go higher. Instead, I like promise, news, earnings and relative price strength. Here, VRTX has them all.
The biotech firm, which specializes in treatments for cystic fibrosis but also has clinical trials underway for other chronic conditions, including treatments for mid-stage kidney disease, is an earnings juggernaut, with earnings per share (EPS) growth over the past several quarters and several years in the top 1% of all public companies.
Given the positive news of the CRISPR announcement, and the robust earnings and relative price strength of VRTX, now is the time to call on the gene splicers for big gains.
For options traders, we recommend buying the Vertex Pharmaceutical Jan. 2023 $310.00 call options at market. The calls last traded for $12.50 and expire on Jan. 20.
