CRISPR Therapeutics has appointed Sivakesava (Siva) Sakhamuri, Ph.D., as Chief Technical Officer (CTO), strengthening its leadership as the biotechnology company advances its gene-editing and RNA-based therapies toward late-stage clinical development.
Announced on November 2, 2026, the appointment brings approximately 30 years of technical operations and manufacturing leadership experience to CRISPR Therapeutics. Sakhamuri’s expertise spans biologics, vaccines, oligonucleotides, RNA therapeutics, and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery.
He joins CRISPR Therapeutics from Orna Therapeutics, where he served as Chief Technical Officer from 2024. There, he led the chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (CMC) and quality organizations supporting circular RNA and LNP programs through the company’s acquisition by Eli Lilly in 2026.
Previously, Sakhamuri served as Senior Vice President and Head of Technical Operations and Quality at Omega Therapeutics. He also spent five years at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals as Vice President of Manufacturing, overseeing manufacturing operations and supporting the commercial launch readiness of three RNA interference therapeutics.
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His earlier career includes leadership positions at Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi Pasteur, and Bristol Myers Squibb. Across his career, he has managed or supported 10 Biologics License Application (BLA) and New Drug Application (NDA) submissions, nine Investigational New Drug (IND) applications, and contributed to eight product launches.
“Siva has tremendous experience advancing novel therapies across various modalities into the clinic all the way through commercial stage,” said Samarth Kulkarni, Ph.D., Chairman and CEO of CRISPR Therapeutics.
Sakhamuri said he looks forward to helping scale the company’s technical operations and manufacturing organization as it works to bring investigational therapies to patients.
The appointment highlights the growing importance of manufacturing capabilities, quality systems, and technical execution as advanced gene-editing and RNA therapies progress through clinical development.
