Two Programs That Could Make or Break Beam Therapeutics Inc (BEAM) Stock

Beam Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:BEAM) is one of the best gene therapy stocks to buy in 2026. The stock is up roughly 27% in the past six months and soared more than 60% in the past year. The Street expects BEAM stock to pop almost 70% in the next 12 months as therapy programs continue to advance.

On May 14, H.C. Wainwright reaffirmed its Buy rating and $80 price target on Beam Therapeutics stock. The firm based its decision on the progress of Beam’s BEAM-302 and risto-cel programs.

BEAM-302 is Beam’s lead genetic disease program. It’s aimed at treating alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) to address the underlying mutation that causes both liver and lung damage. Phase 1/2 trial of BEAM-302 is ongoing, and updated safety and efficacy data from that study has been positive. Beam Therapeutics is working toward initiating a pivotal Phase 1/2 trial of BEAM-302 in the second half of 2026. The company intends to seek an accelerated approval pathway for BEAM-302.

Meanwhile, Beam Therapeutics expects to file for marketing approval of Ristoglogene autogetemcel before the end of 2026. Ristoglogene autogetemcel, also called risto-cel, is a treatment for sickle cell disease that has produced impressive results in clinical trials. This therapy is currently in Phase 1/2 BEACON clinical trial, where it is being evaluated on sickle cell disease with severe vaso-occlusive crises.

Beam Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:BEAM) is a biotech company in the genetic medicines space. The company is developing advanced gene therapies using a cutting-edge gene editing technique known as base editing. This technique enables Beam to chemically modify single letters without making double-stranded breaks in the DNA.

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