Why 2022 could be the most crucial year yet for gene editing

Hello,

Welcome to Insider Healthcare. We're healthcare editors Lydia Ramsey Pflanzer and Leah Rosenbaum. Today in healthcare news:

• We look at why 2022 could be the most crucial year yet for gene editing;
• How Biogen's Alzheimer's drug turned into one of the worst pharmaceutical launches in history;
• 8 primary care companies that are prime targets for a CVS acquisition next year.

If you're new to this newsletter, sign up here. Comments, tips? Email me at lrosenbaum@insider.com or tweet @leah_rosenbaum. Let's get to it...

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Why 2022 will be CRISPR's most important year, according to more than 20 gene-editing experts

• 2022 is set to be an inflection point for gene editing as more biotechs start human testing.
• The technology holds the potential to cure certain genetic diseases.
• Insider talked with experts across the drug industry to learn how gene editing could evolve in 2022.

Dive in>>

How a new hope for treating Alzheimer's turned into one of the worst drug launches in history

• Biogen's Alzheimer's drug, Aduhelm, was approved by the FDA in June after a roller-coaster review.
• Analysts thought the drug could make $50 million this year. Instead, it's made $3.3 million.
• Physicians are skeptical, and the drug is the subject of multiple investigations and a new trial.

Read more>>

CVS Health's next frontier is primary care. Here are 8 companies the $132 billion retail giant might buy or work with to get there faster.

• CVS Health has outlined plans to deliver primary care directly to patients.
• It's mulling acquisitions and partnerships with clinic operators and management companies.
• Here are 8 companies that fit the bill for what CVS may want in a potential primary-care partner.

Check it out>>

We'll leave you with a few more great stories from this past month:

• Here is the 29-slide presentation a former Cigna executive used to raise $40 million to improve how lower-income older adults receive healthcare
• Here are the 18 investors set to shape biotech in 2022
• 34 healthcare and biotech startups that are set to take off in 2022, according to top investors
• 15 top investors share their best 2022 healthcare predictions, from speedier drug development to a digital-health M&A boom

- Lydia & Leah