Once considered a trailblazer in gene therapy, bluebird bio ultimately faced significant financial challenges. In 2025, it was acquired by equity firms Carlyle Group and SK Capital Partners for approximately $29 million, despite being valued at over $10 billion in 2018.
The company has three FDA-approved gene therapies: Lfygenia (lovotibeglogene autotemcel) for sickle cell disease, Skysona (elivaldogene autotemcel) for cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy, and Zynteglo (betibeglogene autotemcel) for beta-thalassemia.
However, it has struggled to sell them. In 2021, the company ceased commercial operations in Europe because it could not agree a payment deal with authorities.
Other companies, including Pfizer, have also struggled to sell gene therapies. Working with IB Communications, we sought out eight reflections on the situation with bluebird bio and what lessons can be learned from it.
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