Fear Of Missing Out is such a big deal that it gets its own acronym in my book (FOMO — and a clever FOMO-fueling website here), and it drives investors to take huge chances just so they don’t have to worry about missing a chance at stupendous gains. That’s what many newsletter ads use to push your buttons, and this latest one for Oxford Club’s Lightning Trend Trader is no exception… how can a red-blooded investor ignore a promise that “303,316% growth kicks off November 1?”
Lightning Trend Trader ($1,495/year these days) has had a couple solid teaser picks over the past year or so in AbbVie (ABBV, teased as “The Genius Molecule”) and Portola (PTLA, pitched as the “Universal Antidote”), though Lichtenfeld has also pitched plenty of stinkers over the years according to our tracking spreadsheets. I have no idea whether that’s indicative of the rest of their portfolio (if you’ve ever tried that newsletter, click here to share your experience with your fellow investors)… so let’s see what he’s hyping this time.
What’s this “Genesis Cure” they’re hinting at? Here are some clues to whet your appetite:
“… one small Boston company just developed a single technology with the potential to eliminate 4,800 rare diseases….
“The MIT Technology Review calls it ‘the biggest biotech discovery of the past century.’
“Science magazine reports, ‘The field of biology is now experiencing a transformative phase with the advent of [this technology].'”
And plenty of rosy upside for you:
“All told, I’m projecting you could multiply your money tenfold in the short term… 29-fold in the medium term… and much, much more as this technology sweeps through the $1 trillion rare disease market.
“In other words, you have a very real opportunity here to turn $1,000 into more than $30,000…”
The ad also cites the potential for this “Genesis Cure” to help with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and cites Dr. Eric Olson at the University of Texas.
And Lichtenfeld goes on to hint at the gene editing technology being teased a bit more:
“This scientist successfully repurposed a naturally occurring enzyme to edit single genes with striking accuracy…
“Suddenly, using this enzyme, doctors could fix the tiny imperfections in genes.
“It has the potential to eliminate the source of virtually EVERY rare disease.
“If your DNA is a blueprint… and a rare disease is just a single bad instruction…
“The Genesis Cure literally erases the bad instruction and replaces it with the right one.
“Every expert who’s taken a serious look at this technology immediately realized it’s the most incredible medical breakthrough since vaccines or even antibiotics.
“The prestigious Nature science journal says it’s like ‘editing out disease.'”
So we can stop there when it comes to big picture — we now know from that that we’re dealing with one of the CRISPR stocks, most of which have been teased and recommended at least a few times by many of the big biotech and technology newsletters — and we’re almost certainly being pointed to one of the triumvirate of publicly traded Cambridge, MA biotechs that claim leadership in gene editing using CRISPR technology (and which, along with other interested parties, are fighting over the patents tooth and claw).
But which one? Is it Editas Medicine (EDIT), CRISPR Therapeutics (CRSP), or Intellia Therapeutics (NTLA)? Let’s check the clues…
“From an investment standpoint, one company behind this technology is on the verge of unprecedented growth.
“Once our brilliant Harvard Ph.D. realized what a revolutionary system she had on her hands…
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just click here...“She immediately applied for the patents to protect her breakthrough.
“She was the very first person to ever apply for a patent on the Genesis Cure.
“And her company is about to take the $1 trillion rare disease market by storm.”
OK, that pretty well answers the question about “which one” … but let’s check the other clues, just to be sure:
“If you’re looking for the type of biotech that can leap 10-fold in a very short span, this small under-the-radar company is in the perfect position.
“It has just $16 million of revenue… But it’s poised to be the driver of a whole new industry surrounding the Genesis Cure.
“The company is backed by the prestigious University of California, home to a whopping 61 Nobel Prize winners.
“And it holds 19 patents for the Genesis Cure.”
Other hints?
“The company just inked a $293 million deal with pharmaceutical giant Novartis…
“It also made a deal worth $445 million with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.”
OK, so yes, the Thinkolator can confirm that this is Intellia Therapeutics (NTLA).
What I can’t do is tell you whether it’s going up or not. EDIT, NTLA and CRSP are all moving forward, all actively trying to develop fantastic cures for disease using their variations of CRISPR gene-editing technology, and they’ve all got great partners and plenty of funding and, probably, a long row to hoe before they get to the point where they might actually be selling a product.
This is a gene editing technology, not a drug. It’s not a compound that can alter your body’s chemistry to defeat a disease, or even an antibody that you can either add to your body or inspire with a vaccine to help your body fight off an ailment or infection, it’s a whole new and extremely personalized way of attacking genetic defects or problems, and we’re probably a long way from knowing how it will be commercialized.
That doesn’t mean it’s not worthy of funding or research, of course, or even that investors won’t get rich by backing one or more of these CRISPR horses — it just means there’s not much to the finances of these companies yet, they’re still, despite the vast funding they have available from investors and partners, pretty early-stage R&D projects as far as I can tell. I’m not even really sure what their business model will be — selling a product? A technique? Licensing a technology for other researchers? Charging per cure?
And, of course, there’s the constant legal battle over patents that will be worked out over time, probably benefitting one of these folks over others — most recently it’s been Editas with the upper hand in patent court, but I have no idea what the last word will be.
So I’m left with this… I’ll paraphrase what I wrote to the Irregulars a few weeks back when there was a very similar teaser pitch from Michael Robinson that was hinting at competitor Editas:
If one thing is clear above all others, it’s that I’ve got no personal “edge” to be gained by gaming the decisions of a patent court or judging the relative merits of different highly advanced gene editing technologies… you’ve got to know your limitations. I’m certainly not an expert on any of this stuff, so all I can really tell you is that yes, Marc Lichtenfeld is teasing Intellia (NTLA)… and no, there’s no way the stock price is going to rise tenfold “in the short term.” (Assuming, in this case, that “short term” means a few months or so.)
Beyond that, well, you’re on your own — what do you think? Expect great things ahead for Intellia Therapeutics? Believe that their patents are vastly undervalued? Think other researchers have leapfrogged NTLA with subsequent patents or technologies? Does your brain hurt yet? Let us know with a comment below.
I know less about beginning biotechs than you. Thusfar Dr. KSS has been incredible in his evaluations of the scientific basis behind each company. Since I don’t have a lifetime to get an MD and PhD, I value whatever he says, and thusfar, I am very happy with all sides of Gumshoe. If it weren’t for his sagacity, I would probably put my savings in an index fund and take up another hobby.
Paul Manpilly is pitching EDIT…so I guess both might be good stocks to buy stock.
I have been pleased with Oxford Club,as not so much BS,but dont subscribe to this service as so expensive,but you, Travis are so so good with this and always such a superior help!!!
Thanks for your great investigative abilities. I can now sleep nights knowing that ‘The Genesis Cure’ is another ‘possibility’ I can ignore for the short term, and watch for the long term – without the pain of buying another damned newsletter!
How can Genesis Cure help in Leukemia
I would say Marc Lichtenfeld offered the 300,000% as a long term (retire on) potential if it was applied to all genetic correctable diseases. The pie in the sky.
It is then presented as a potential rocket ride based on not too unrealistic market pricing in the near term.
Your likely to have a winner if you bet on both, but you will also have a loser. Put them both on a watch and notify list. Maybe a buy stop?
You are not alone in wondering what the process is and how it will be rolled out, but I do think this is a breakthrough the market will reward near term.
What happened to ANLY is one possibility if it is not near term. Biotime was another.
Correct that to ALNY ,; it went from same ~$20 to $140 in 2.5 yrs before returning to earth. Frankly, I’m not so sure how the market would respond. Clinical trials take years and none are underway.
As I recall Editas has the US patent rights currently, and the other two were able to get the rights to Europe and Asia. I am investing in all three.
They all dispute which of the patents are actually important, from what I gather, and many of the patents are likely to keep getting appealed in court for a while — at least in the US.
Was able to get 100 shares of NOVARTIS – $NVS as it came on the wire at 2:10 PM $CLLS next.
I can’t share any experience with that particular newsletter (I despise $1500/year newsletters in general), but I can share 38 years of experience practicing medicine . After seeing bushels of “miracle cures” come and go, I’ve developed a pretty good bullshit detector. The general rule is this: the broader the claim, the bigger the scam. So anytime you hear about a technology that “could wipe 4800 diseases off the face of the earth”, you don’t need a Thinkolator to figure out – as my dad used to say – that somebody’s pissing on your boots and telling you it’s a thunderstorm. That doesn’t mean that CRISPR itself is a scam – it’s arguably the most exciting new therapeutic concept since monoclonal antibodies – or that NTLA might not end up with a marketable technology … someday. But think about how many startups worked on monoclonal antibodies for years and years until one — Genentech — finally found a way to make some money from them. I understand that everyone is eager to get in on the “ground floor” of new technologies; but the reality is that none of the companies working on CRISPR have, as yet, climbed out of the 3rd sub-basement. I wouldn’t bet on any of them, at least until one emerges as a leader AND gets a product into clinical trials.
These people who charge unrealistic news letters are for the novice. Running a stock portfolio is not rocket science. And these beggars know this and with say 1 million people who happen to get a e-mail and read t it sounds great. And if these beggars get 10% checks back from the unsuspectingly victim’s it adds up to a nice amount of money. And one day in the future they will pay. Unless they turn from their darkened heart, Truth! $GS!
Good answer! I haven’t heard that expression about raining for quite a while. It made me laugh. Thanks
Since Editas received the patent in the U.S. and won the administrative appellate decision, the Court would normally just defer the final decision to the Patent Officials. In addition, the fact that Editas is advancing and creating a target specific genomic CRISPER system, the issue being appealed in Court will suffer a slow decay of relevance. For the past couple of days, Editas has gained upward momentum with less volatility.
A viable fledgling company in Illinois that is being teased by Mr Robinson as a disruptor in the smartphone screen and semiconductor technology. My research indicates that this company’s name is Akhan Semiconductor, Inc. which manufactures in vitro diamond in nanometer. The diamond layer is methodically implanted over the gorilla glass making it about six times stronger and more shatter resistant than any known screen material available at the present time. However, it is not a publicly traded company. Do you know how we can invest in this company? This is the only remaining puzzle left unresolved. Any thoughts or idea?
Re: Akhan Semiconductor; look to companies such as: Seedinvest, Angel Funding, We Funder, and others like this, but I do not know if Akhan is listed, but I too have heard of Akhan Semiconductor. I have invested via Seedinvest into Mobile Spike and I will be investing a minimum of 2k into Knightscope which closes on Oct. 10th 2017. Every day in the early a.m. hours I see one of Knightscope’s 5′ foot tall units patrolling at California Hospital on Grand Avenue in Los Angeles. Reminds me of the original Lost in Space. Its pretty cool.
You said” this is a gene technology not a drug” Then why are these companies supposedly inking multi million dollar deals with big pharma giants?
Very worrisome. Chances are if any of these gene technologies will replace drugs they will not see the light of day .
Excellent point Jason but how do we stop it. I agree, it’s very worrisome. The big drug giants may also, by knowing the technology, modify your genetics in certain ways to suit the drugs they peddle, maybe?? This world is getting very technologically advanced but scary.
Yes, Travis, My brain hurts !!!
jbinsc
Hi All,
I just want to commend Travis on his Thinkolator and tell him to keep on keeping on your research is invaluable and helps me do my research as well!
In today’s political arena, no cure will ever hit the market place as long as we have a commissioner in the White House who is paid by big Pharmacy. We have had a cure for diabetes for 20 yrs but big pharma will not let it replace the $50 B spent on treating diabetes.
You are so “Right On” Dr. Coffman. And diabetes is not the only one.
I’m still waiting for “the swamp” to be completely drained but I’m not holding my breath.
What is the cure for diabetes you claim to know about? Spread the wealth of knowledge you have with those of us that have diabetes.
Dr. Coffman – I’d like to hear more about your cure. Please contact me.
AMEN to that, and you can add CANCER and other modern lifestyle diseases. The medical profession based on pharmaceutical industry propaganda will tell you that type 2 diabetes is incurable, all you can do is control the symptoms with insulin injections or other drugs which is a blatant profit making lie because it is so much more profitable TREATING the disease than it would be CURING it, which is entirely possible without drugs or insulin injections. WHY would they want to actually cure you and thus forfeit the BILLIONS in profit they make keeping you dependant on buying their drugs for the rest of your life?
When I was diagnosed just over 3 years ago I was told by the kidney specialist assigned to my case that it was incurable and the best they could do was MANAGE the symptoms and I should expect to need insulin injections for the rest of my life. I was also told that my kidneys had been damaged because the disease had probably been affecting me for 5 to 10 years before the diagnosis and that there was also no recovery once the kidneys were compromised and ultimately I would end up needing kidney dialysis.
Much to this specialists surprise, I have not had an insulin shot for over a year and my blood sugar readings I check at least once a week just to be sure remain in the normal range, he even had me scheduled for surgery in preparation for kidney dialysis which I ended up cancelling a after 2 months of blood tests that showed repeated increase in kidney function that had gone as low as 8%, and I did this all on my own by adding certain herbs and spices to a strict fresh, natural foods diet.
Giving up some unhealthy foods. (and drinks) to be free of insulin injections and other drugs is a small price too pay to avoid the often serious see effects of drugs while also avoiding the complications that often result from long lasting diabetes ravages not preventable with drugs which do nothing to deal with the underlying cause, or prevent things like amputations, blindness and kidney damage.
Simply GOOGLE “Natural Diabetes Cures” and you will get reams of material on how to beat diabetes naturally and become drug and disease free. Thousands have done it and you can too, you just need to do the research and” hear the other side of the story” as the late broadcaster PaulHarvey became famous for saying.
Question for the author: I see you research what other people are trying to sell, but do you ever recommend a stock to buy?. Thanks.
I write about my personal portfolio and investments I like for the Irregulars (our paid members), who generally get a bit more of my opinion.
YOU ARE AMAZING TRAVIS!! I just wasted an hour trying to figure out the company. But then… I remembered Stock Gumshoe- and there it was the Genesis cure. Thanks for your investigation. Maybe I’ll come here first next time. Thanks again for your amazing research!
I thought is Marc was pushing symbol: EDIT or NTLA and the other one that I came up with was JUNO both the name and stock symbol: JUNO. I was leaning toward symbol EDIT because I read Bill Gates was behind part of the funding. You have an excellent history of being correct and you seem to be leaning toward symbol: NTLA.
the entire company is a scam and a fraud-I paid supposedly $1495 last night for the “lightning trend trader” but they actually charge me $1995. No point in trying their 888 number no one answers. Basically this so-called Genesis Cure is nothing more than a referral to a company that uses CRISPER as a way to change the DNA of certain molecules. Furthermore never ever become a member of the Oxford club because they will take your money and you’ll get nothing in return. They stop sending me their investment newsletters at least six months ago and I was supposed to get e-mails for each one that I signed up for however, I received nothing don’t be scammed give them no money whatsoever, rely upon honest competent financial investors not this company of fraudsters and scammers.
Mr Nightengale, I was dismayed to hear this was your experience with the Club. I show you have been with us since 2004. So I had my team research your account. You ordered Lightning Trend Trader on 9/10. Called on the 11th, and my representative said you only wanted one year for $1495, not 2 yrs for $1995 as you orginally ordered. So they refunded you $500. The Lightning Trend Trader clearly stated no refunds, but they did refund you for the extra year.
I see in April of 2016, you were unhappy with some of Steve McDonald’s recommended bonds, so we comped you 3 years of the Oxford Club.
In May of this year you called our Club to say your emails were getting through. We got that fixed on that call.
I’m not sure why you are unhappy about the Lightning Trend Trader, or say we are not responsive. I apologize for any inconveniences. I’m confident you are receiving excellent research from Marc Lichtenfeld for your subscription.
Best, Julia C Guth, CEO & Publisher, The Oxford Club
John, I beg to differ from your assessment of The Oxford Club. I have been a member for over 2 years and my experience with the club is a positive one. Yes, they are forever pitching new products but it is up to you to do your home work and figure out which direction you want to go. You don’t have to subscribe to every newsletter they send your way.
Hi Helen do you have supper bonds
From the Oxford club and how it works
Thanks let me know
#John Nightingale
John
I have been a Chairman’s Circle Member of the Oxford Club since the late 1990’s, I have never been disappointed with their service. My experience is quite the opposite of yours. I find their articles timely and well researched by exceedingly smart authors, which gives me a heads up to do my follow up due diligence. Your experience is so very far from mine it is hard to comprehend your criticism.
Wish you the best in the future.
I had signed up for a cheaper product with the oxford group and saw they charged me $1,9000. I called and said it was a mistake and they gave me a full refund. I was very surprised that it only took two days to receive the full refund.
Is the company they are recommending Crisper and are traded on any stock exchange? Your response is well appreciated. Vince DiRe
Some form of CRISPR technology will successfully target A disease – not hundreds or thousands. And some CRISPR outfit will make a mint. But I ain’t young enough to wait. Good luck to those who are!
Thanks for all of your insights here for FREE!! I joined Oxford /club about a yr ago and they do have some “inside” tips that have proved to be on the right track-but I hate all of this charging for stuff that is on Google for FREE-if you know where to look-LOL! I love it when they said “Oh, if you had invested in company XYZ back in 2010 your 10,000 would be worth 329,000 today
well if it was that simple then all of us would be extremely wealthy!
All I know is-if you happen to pick the correct one-and hold it long enough-then MAYBE you will win the lottery or the pot of gold at the unknown end of the rainbow. All of us would like to do that-and not have to worry we made the wrong move!
I like to do the research-check out the facts-and you did all of it here-all I have to do is read-and it took less than 5 minutes. I was taking notes while listening to his rant before trying to sell yet another expensive newsletter so you can get his FREE report! It is only open for 2500 people-well I am not stupid-thank you very much!
Stay on the hunt for the falsehoods for us-we really appreciate it!
Happy Hunting!
Deb S
I’ve lost money on anything I’ve ever bought from the hot shots. ‘Nuff said??
Travis/ Marc
As Usual, a Very Good research on the Crispr Technology Stocks. I believe, that we are on the cusp of some astounding Biotechnology medical treatments including gene editing methodology. Because, I couldn’t decipher which of the aforementioned companies were the positive one, I took the Nestea Plunge and went with (ARKG) an ETF that holds All three. Regardless, I believe that all of those companies will SOON be at the forefront of this Positive Technology for all of Mankind !