bluebird bio to Provide Update on Program Milestones and 2022 Financial Outlook at the 40th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference

Rhea-AI Summary

bluebird bio, Inc. (Nasdaq: BLUE) has announced key updates for the 40th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, focusing on its gene therapy programs. The company anticipates FDA reviews for betibeglogene autotemcel (beti-cel) and elivaldogene autotemcel (eli-cel) in 2022, with potential launches in mid-2022. The company aims to complete validation lots for its third therapy, lovotibeglogene autotemcel (lovo-cel), amid ongoing clinical holds. bluebird bio projects a cash balance of approximately $442 million, expecting a cash burn of less than $400 million in 2022 and potential cash inflows of $150-200 million from priority review vouchers.

Positive

• Anticipated FDA Advisory Committee meeting for beti-cel on March 9, 2022.
• Projected cash balance of approximately $442 million as of December 31, 2021.
• Expected cash burn of less than $400 million in 2022.
• Potential for $150-200 million in non-dilutive cash inflows from sales of priority review vouchers.

Negative

• Ongoing partial clinical hold of lovo-cel for patients under 18 may delay BLA submission.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- bluebird bio, Inc. (Nasdaq: BLUE) today announced planned updates to be presented at the 40^th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare conference including 2022 program milestones and financial outlook.

In 2022, bluebird is focused on the FDA review of two gene therapies – betibeglogene autotemcel (beti-cel), for beta-thalassemia and elivaldogene autotemcel (eli-cel), for cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy (CALD) – and is prepared to launch both beti-cel and eli-cel for patients in the U.S. in mid-2022, if approved by the FDA. An FDA Advisory Committee to discuss the Biologics License Application (BLA) for beti-cel is anticipated on March 9, 2022.

Additionally, bluebird bio expects to complete the manufacturing of commercial drug product validation lots for its third gene therapy, lovotibeglogene autotemcel (lovo-cel), for sickle cell disease in mid-2022. The Company is evaluating what impact, if any, the ongoing partial clinical hold of lovo-cel for patients under the age of 18 may have on the projected timing of the first quarter of 2023 for the submission of the BLA.

“In 2021, bluebird bio relaunched as an independent company focused on severe genetic diseases,” said Andrew Obenshain, chief executive officer, bluebird bio. “We believe in the potential of our one-time therapies to transform the lives of patients and their families and to give them more bluebird days together. This year, we intend to realize the promise of lentiviral vector gene therapy in the U.S. with the launch of beti-cel for beta-thalassemia and eli-cel for cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy, and to lay the foundation for lovo-cel to be the first gene therapy for people living with sickle cell disease.”

2022 Financial Outlook

The Company’s preliminary unaudited restricted cash, cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities balance was approximately $442 million, including restricted cash of approximately $46 million, as of December 31, 2021. As bluebird bio advances its late-stage pipeline assets to the commercial setting, full-year 2022 cash burn is expected to be less than $400 million. The Company plans to explore the sale of priority review vouchers which would be expected to be issued with the U.S. approvals of BLAs for beti-cel and eli-cel. Approximately $150-200 million in non-dilutive cash inflows could potentially be realized from the sales, which would extend the current cash runway into 2023. The Company is also exploring multiple additional financing opportunities, while focusing on further cost efficiencies.

Presentation at the 2022 J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference

The bluebird bio management team will present on Wednesday, January 12, at 3:45 p.m. ET. A live webcast of the presentation will be available on the “Events & Presentations” page within the Investors & Media section of the bluebird bio website at http://investor.bluebirdbio.com. A replay of the webcast will be available on the bluebird bio website for 30 days following the event.

About bluebird bio, Inc.

bluebird bio is pursuing curative gene therapies to give patients and their families more bluebird days.

With a dedicated focus on severe genetic diseases, bluebird has industry-leading clinical and research programs for sickle cell disease, β-thalassemia and cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy and is advancing research to apply new technologies to these and other diseases. We custom design each of our therapies to address the underlying cause of disease and have developed in-depth and effective analytical methods to understand the safety of our lentiviral vector technologies and drive the field of gene therapy forward.

Founded in 2010, bluebird has the largest and deepest ex-vivo gene therapy data set in the world—setting the standard for industry. Today, bluebird continues to forge new paths, combining our real-world experience with a deep commitment to patient communities and a people-centric culture that attracts and grows a diverse flock of dedicated birds. ​

For more information, visit bluebirdbio.com or follow us on social media at @bluebirdbio, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

bluebird bio Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements that are not statements of historical facts are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements, including our statements regarding our projected financial position and performance in 2022 including expected cash burn and potential cash inflows, the timing and expectations for potential regulatory approvals of beti-cel and eli-cel and the associated commercial launches, and our expectations for manufacturing and validation activities for lovo-cel. Such forward-looking statements are based on historical performance and current expectations and projections about our future goals, plans and objectives and involve inherent risks, assumptions and uncertainties, including internal or external factors that could delay, divert or change any of them in the next several years, that are difficult to predict, may be beyond our control and could cause our future goals, plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the statements. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many risks and uncertainties that affect bluebird bio’s business, particularly those identified in the risk factors discussion in bluebird bio’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated by our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the risk that regulatory approval of beti-cel and/or eli-cel will not be obtained on the timing that we expect or at all; the partial clinical hold of lovo-cel will not be resolved on the timeframe that we expect or at all; our plans and expectations with respect to our operations and financial performance, the potential commercial launches, and our ability to execute on our strategy will be negatively impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the effects on us and the third parties upon which we depend, including our contract manufacturing organizations and clinical trial sites. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made only as of the date of this document and except as otherwise required by applicable law, bluebird bio undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220111005696/en/

Investors:

Courtney O’Leary, 978-621-7347

coleary@bluebirdbio.com

or

Media:

Sarah Alspach, 857-299-6198

sarah.alspach@bluebirdbio.com

Source: bluebird bio, Inc.

FAQ

What is bluebird bio's stock symbol?

bluebird bio's stock symbol is BLUE.

What are the expected FDA review dates for bluebird bio's gene therapies?

The FDA Advisory Committee for beti-cel is anticipated on March 9, 2022, with potential launches in mid-2022.

How much cash does bluebird bio expect to have in 2022?

bluebird bio expects to have approximately $442 million in cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2021.

What is the cash burn forecast for bluebird bio in 2022?

bluebird bio projects a cash burn of less than $400 million in 2022.

What potential revenue could bluebird bio generate from priority review vouchers?

bluebird bio could potentially generate $150-200 million from the sale of priority review vouchers.