Bluebird Bio Restructures Amid Financial Woes, But Will It Fly?

The firm is laying off a big piece of its workforce and deprioritizing some investments to free up capital for potential upcoming launches, but that could add commercial risks.

Bluebird bio announced a major restructuring amid its financial woes • Source: Alamy

bluebird bio is hoping a major restructuring can extend its runway amid recent financial difficulties and development setbacks, as it prepares for up to three near-term commercial launches. But having less room to maneuver due to tighter funding and fewer staff could hamper its own commercial efforts too.

Bluebird said 5 April that it plans to lay off 30% of its workforce while deprioritizing direct investments in reduced toxicity conditioning and cryopreserved apheresis. In sum, the company will...

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