** Shares of Massachusetts-based gene-editing firm Intellia Therapeutics NTLA.O up 8.4% at $11.71

** Company posts Q4 collaboration revenue of $12.9 million, beating analysts' estimates of $8.5 million, according to data compiled by LSEG

** Company's sales was mainly driven by collaboration revenue received under the Regeneron REGN.O agreements to develop gene-editing therapies for neurological and muscular disease

** Brokerage Leerink Partners expects shares to rise in the mid-single digits as company fleshed out details including operating expenses on call; NTLA expects 5%-10% lower operating expenses vs a year ago

** NTLA also expects operating expense below 2024 levels for the next several years as R&D spend sunsets with enrollment completion/trial conclusions in 2026 and beyond

** Company plans to submit a marketing application for a rare genetic disorder therapy, NTLA-2002, in H2 2026 to a potential U.S. launch in 2027

** "NTLA-2002 remains the most underappreciated asset in our coverage universe heading into upcoming pivotal (trial) data," brokerage says

** NTLA fell 61% in the last 12 months

(Reporting by Siddhi Mahatole)

((Siddhiprabhanjan.mahatole@thomsonreuters.com))