On June 2, 2025 bluebird bio (NASDAQ: BLUE) ("bluebird"), a pioneer in gene therapies for severe genetic diseases, reported the completion of its sale to funds managed by global investment firms Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) and SK Capital Partners, LP ("SK Capital") (Press release, bluebird bio, JUN 2, 2025, View Source [SID1234653597]). 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.
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David 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."
"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."
"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 patients around the world," said Aaron Davenport, Managing Director at SK Capital, adding, "We believe our deep collective experience in manufacturing and commercializing therapies can help drive the next chapter of bluebird’s growth."
Incoming Team Bolsters Commercial Gene Therapy Experience
The company’s momentum is reinforced by a deeply experienced management team, led by CEO David Meek. David brings more than 30 years of leadership in life sciences, including as CEO of Mirati Therapeutics and Ipsen. David is joined by Tom Klima as Chief Commercial & Operating Officer, Debasish Roychowdhury, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer, Wendy DiCicco as Chief Financial Officer, and Ellen Forest as Chief People Officer. Additional details are available at View Source
From Scientific Breakthroughs to Delivery at Scale
With the transaction now closed, bluebird is prioritizing expanding its manufacturing infrastructure, streamlining the patient journey, supporting treatment centers, and strengthening its payer partnerships. The acquisition provides the strategic and financial backing needed to meet rising demand and drive commercial and operational excellence across the organization.
"bluebird has demonstrated what’s possible through effective gene therapy," David added. "Now we will build the ecosystem to ensure every patient who needs these therapies can access them."