Press Release

CRISPR Therapeutics Announces Pricing of Initial Public Offering

BASEL, Switzerland and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct. 18, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CRISPR Therapeutics AG (Nasdaq:CRSP), a biopharmaceutical company focused on translating CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology into transformative medicines, today announced the pricing of its initial public offering of 4,000,000 common shares at a public offering price of $14.00 per share. In addition, CRISPR Therapeutics has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to 600,000 additional common shares at the initial public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions. CRISPR Therapeutics’ common shares are expected to begin trading on the NASDAQ Global Market under the ticker symbol “CRSP” on October 19, 2016. The offering is expected to close on October 24, 2016, subject to customary closing conditions.

Citigroup, Piper Jaffray and Barclays are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering. Guggenheim Securities is acting as co-manager.

In addition to the shares sold in the public offering, CRISPR Therapeutics announced the concurrent sale of an additional 2,500,000 shares at the initial offering price of $14.00, for gross proceeds of $35.0 million, in a private placement to Bayer Global Investments B.V., an existing shareholder and an affiliate of Bayer HealthCare LLC, a joint venture partner with CRISPR Therapeutics. The sale of these common shares will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and will be subject to a 180-day lock-up agreement.

A registration statement relating to these securities was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 18, 2016. The offering will be made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the final prospectus related to the offering may be obtained, when available, from: Citigroup Global Markets Inc., c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY, 11717, telephone: 1-800-831-9146; Piper Jaffray & Co., Attn: Prospectus Department, 800 Nicollet Mall, J12S03, Minneapolis, MN 55402, Email: prospectus@pjc.com, or telephone at (800) 747-3924; or Barclays Capital Inc., c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, telephone: (888) 603-5847, email: Barclaysprospectus@broadridge.com.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About CRISPR Therapeutics

CRISPR Therapeutics is a leading gene-editing company focused on the development of transformative gene-based medicines for serious diseases using its proprietary CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing platform.

INVESTOR CONTACT:
Chris BrinzeyWestwicke Partners for CRISPR Therapeutics
339-970-2843
chris.brinzey@westwicke.com

MEDIA CONTACT:
Jennifer PaganelliW2O Group for CRISPR Therapeutics
347-658-8290
jpaganelli@w2ogroup.com

CRISPR Therapeutics AG