Business
bluebird bio Announces Completion of Acquisition by Carlyle and SK Capital
New management, led by David Meek, is committed to rapidly scaling access to lifechanging gene therapies Significant capital commitment from Carlyle and SK
About this update from The Carlyle Group Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"\nNew management, led by David Meek, is committed to rapidly scaling access to lifechanging gene therapies\n\n\nSignificant capital commitment from Carlyle and SK Capital will enable bluebird to grow and accelerate patient access\n\n\nbluebird will focus on expanding manufacturing capacity and improving the treatment experience for patients and providers\n\n\n SOMERVILLE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--\nbluebird bio (NASDAQ: BLUE) (“bluebird”), a pioneer in gene therapies for severe genetic diseases, today announced the completion of its sale to funds managed by global investment firms Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) and SK Capital Partners, LP (“SK Capital”). With the closing of the transaction, bluebird’s common stock has ceased trading and will no longer be publicly listed. Carlyle and SK Capital have provided significant primary capital to support and scale bluebird’s commercial delivery of gene therapies for patients with sickle cell disease, β-thalassemia, and cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy.\n\n\nDavid Meek, who became Chief Executive Officer of bluebird at close, said, “Today marks the beginning of a new era for bluebird as its go-forward financial backing and leadership team will better enable all stakeholders to realize the full potential of our revolutionary therapies. Historically, bluebird has excelled as a scientific innovator and should be very proud of the many achievements it has delivered to patients. Our vision is to further that legacy of scientific excellence while improving the commercial execution of our approved products to rapidly expand access to lifechanging gene therapies.”\n\n\n“We are excited to back bluebird in partnership with SK Capital. We believe providing bluebird the necessary funding along with the new leadership team will help bluebird realize its full potential,” said Joe Bress, Carlyle Partner and Global Co-Head of Healthcare. Bali Muralidhar, Co-Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer & COO of Abingworth, Carlyle’s life sciences investment franchise, added, “There is an incredible opportunity to bring bluebird’s groundbreaking therapies to more patients in need, and we look forward to advancing bluebird in its mission.”\n\n\n“SK Capital looks forward to partnering with David and his team as well as Carlyle to scale bluebird’s pioneering gene therapies that can make a lifechanging difference for patie...