A team of Goodwin attorneys recently advised client bluebird bio, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on gene therapy, on its initial public offering. The company offered approximately 5.9 million shares of common stock priced at $17/share, exceeding their target offering of 5 million shares. bluebird shares will be traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “BLUE.”
bluebird bio, headquartered in Cambridge, Mass. and with operations in the Europe, develops potentially transformative gene therapies for severe genetic and orphan diseases. The company has two clinical-stage programs in development for childhood cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy (CCALD) and beta-thalassemia/sickle cell disease.
Goodwin previously advised bluebird on its strategic collaboration with Celgene Corporation in early 2013. Through the multi-year agreement, the companies plan to discover, develop and commercialize novel disease-altering gene therapies in oncology by using a patient’s own genetically modified T-cells, known as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells, to target and destroy cancer cells.
The Goodwin team advising on the IPO was led by partner Michael Bison, and included associate Gregg Katz.
Additional pricing information about bluebird’s IPO can be found in the company’s press release.