ReCode Taps Intellia for Gene Editing Push in Cystic Fibrosis

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA – August 06, 2026

ReCode Therapeutics, a company at the forefront of genetic medicine, has signaled a dramatic escalation in its mission to conquer cystic fibrosis. In a trifecta of strategic moves, the company announced a pivotal research collaboration with gene editing powerhouse Intellia Therapeutics, secured fresh funding from the Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Foundation, and appointed a veteran CF drug developer, Heather Clark, as its new Chief Executive Officer. These developments not only deepen ReCode’s focus on the genetic disease but also position it to pursue a potential cure by combining its precision delivery technology with one of the most advanced gene editing platforms in the world.

A New CEO Forged in the CF Trenches

The leadership transition, effective July 1, places Heather Clark at the helm, a move that signals a deliberate and focused strategy. Clark is not just an experienced executive; she is a specialist steeped in the complexities of cystic fibrosis drug development. Her nearly 30-year career includes over two decades at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, the company that revolutionized CF treatment. During her tenure there, she was instrumental in the discovery and development of five FDA-approved CF therapies, managing the company's long-standing and highly successful alliance with the CF Foundation.

This background makes her uniquely qualified to guide ReCode's dual-pronged assault on the disease. She joined ReCode in 2022, where she has already been leading the company's CF strategy, including its ongoing mRNA therapy program, RCT2100. Her elevation to CEO ensures a seamless transition and brings a leader with an intimate understanding of the patient journey, the scientific challenges, and the regulatory landscape.

Shehnaaz Suliman, who transitions from CEO to the role of board executive chair, praised the appointment. “Heather brings decades of outstanding leadership and deep expertise in cystic fibrosis drug development, positioning her well to lead ReCode’s gene editing initiatives with this partner and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation,” Suliman stated. “I look forward to continuing to work closely with Heather and the Board to execute our strategy.” This transition keeps Suliman’s strategic guidance in play while empowering a CF-focused expert to drive the company's ambitious clinical and preclinical programs forward.

The Power of Partnership: Uniting Gene Editing and Precision Delivery

The centerpiece of ReCode’s announcement is its collaboration with Intellia Therapeutics, a clear leader in the CRISPR gene editing field. This partnership aims to develop a novel therapy designed to permanently correct the mutations in the CFTR gene, the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis. The synergy is clear: Intellia contributes its world-class gene editing technology, including its proprietary DNA writing tools, while ReCode provides the crucial delivery vehicle—its Selective Organ Targeting (SORT) lipid nanoparticle (LNP) platform.

For years, the promise of gene editing has been hampered by the challenge of delivery. Getting the editing machinery to the right cells in the right organ, without causing off-target effects, has been the primary bottleneck. This is particularly true for diseases affecting organs like the lungs. ReCode’s SORT LNP platform is designed to solve this very problem. By utilizing a proprietary fifth lipid, the platform can steer its genetic payload away from the liver—the default destination for most LNPs—and precisely to other tissues, including the vital lung stem cells that are the ideal target for a durable CF cure.

This collaboration serves as a powerful validation of ReCode's delivery technology. The decision by a gene editing giant like Intellia to partner with the company underscores the potential of the SORT LNP platform to unlock the therapeutic power of CRISPR for diseases beyond the liver. Bolstering this ambitious venture is a new infusion of capital from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, which has committed up to $15 million specifically to support this gene editing program. This non-dilutive funding not only provides essential resources but also represents a strong vote of confidence from the most influential patient advocacy and research organization in the CF space.

Targeting the Final Frontier of Cystic Fibrosis Treatment

While the advent of CFTR modulators has been life-altering for many living with cystic fibrosis, they are not a universal solution. An estimated 10% of the CF population has genetic mutations that make them ineligible for or intolerant to these existing treatments. For this group, the need for new therapeutic options remains urgent and profound. Furthermore, even for those who benefit, modulators are a lifelong treatment that manages the disease rather than correcting the root genetic cause.

ReCode is now tackling this challenge from two complementary angles. Its lead clinical program, RCT2100, is an inhaled mRNA-based therapy designed to provide lung cells with the instructions to produce a functional CFTR protein. This approach has the potential to help patients regardless of their specific mutation. The program received Fast Track Designation from the FDA, and its Phase 2a study is now fully enrolled, with pivotal data expected in the fourth quarter of this year.

The new gene editing collaboration with Intellia represents a more audacious goal: a one-time, curative therapy. By using CRISPR technology to directly edit and correct the faulty CFTR gene within a patient’s own lung cells, the therapy could permanently restore normal protein function. This approach is especially critical for the 10% of patients left behind by current modulators.

In her new role, Heather Clark emphasized this forward-looking strategy. "I have devoted my professional career to developing treatments for cystic fibrosis, and I am honored to lead ReCode at a moment of such promise for the patients we serve," she said. "Introducing gene editing adds another powerful path to develop therapies for patients still underserved by existing treatments."

A Platform Built for the Next Wave of Genetic Medicine

Underpinning all of ReCode's programs is its proprietary SORT LNP technology. This platform's modularity allows it to carry a wide array of genetic cargo—from mRNA and siRNA to the complex machinery of gene editors. This versatility is a significant competitive advantage, enabling the company to pivot and expand its pipeline to address different diseases with the most appropriate genetic tool.

The company's progress extends beyond CF. Data from its RCT1100 program for primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), another rare genetic respiratory disease, was recently presented at the American Thoracic Society Congress, further demonstrating the platform's potential in lung-targeted delivery. Together, these programs showcase a deep commitment to tackling genetically defined diseases with few or no treatment options.

The combination of a validated, organ-specific delivery system with both mRNA and gene editing modalities creates a powerful engine for innovation. As the company moves forward under new leadership, its focus remains razor-sharp on translating this technological promise into tangible clinical results. "We continue to make progress with the RCT2100 program, an inhaled mRNA therapy for cystic fibrosis," Clark noted, highlighting the ongoing Phase 2a study and the anticipated data that "will guide next steps for the program." This steady clinical execution, now paired with the high-stakes, high-reward pursuit of a gene editing cure, solidifies ReCode’s position as a key player to watch in the next era of genetic medicine.