** Shares of gene therapy developer Intellia Therapeutics NTLA.O fall 29% to $8.76 premarket

** Co said late on Thursday said that U.S. FDA has paused its two main late-stage trials for a gene-editing treatment after a patient died from severe liver complications

** The trials were studying the treatment nexiguran ziclumeran in debilitating heart diseases ATTR amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy and hereditary ATTR amyloidosis with polyneuropathy

** Co consulting experts and regulators on next steps - NTLA

** Despite the setback, NTLA said it remains confident in the potential of nexiguran ziclumeran, to help patients with amyloidosis, a rare disease caused by protein buildup

** NTLA to present early-stage heart disease data for nex-z, on Nov. 10, co says

** Up to last close, stock up ~6% YTD

(Reporting by Sahil Pandey in Bengaluru)

((Sahil.Pandey@thomsonreuters.com))