bluebird bio Named One of FierceBiotech’s 2012 Fierce 15

bluebird bio Named One of FierceBiotech’s 2012 Fierce 15

<0> Pure Communications, Inc.Dan Budwick, 973-271-6085 </0>

FierceBiotech today named as one of 2012's Fierce 15, designating it as one of the most promising private biotechnology companies in the industry. This is FierceBiotech's tenth annual Fierce 15 selection.

“Bluebird bio CEO Nick Leschly believes that the time has arrived for gene therapy, and he expects bluebird to be on the cutting edge,” says FierceBiotech Editor John Carroll. “The biotech is exploring a potential set of partnerships as it prepares a pivotal Phase II/Phase III study of its lead treatment for rare but lethal cases of adrenoleukodystrophy, or ALD, as well as additional studies for its beta-thalassemia and sickle cell disease programs. And it’s found ample backing from a long lineup of top venture groups to develop technology that has an array of potential applications. This is a company to watch.”

“We are honored to be among the innovative companies selected for the Fierce 15 this year,” said Nick Leschly, chief executive officer of bluebird bio. “We believe in the potential of gene therapy to be a one-time transformative treatment for severe genetic diseases and are focused on impacting the lives of patients.”

The Fierce 15 celebrates the spirit of being "fierce" – championing innovation and creativity, even in the face of intense competition.

An internationally recognized daily newsletter reaching more than 100,000 biotech and pharma industry professionals, FierceBiotech provides subscribers with an authoritative analysis of the day's top stories. Every year FierceBiotech evaluates hundreds of private companies for its annual Fierce 15 list, which is based on a variety of factors such as the strength of its technology, partnerships, venture backers and a competitive market position.

The 2012 Fierce 15 companies will be recognized today at the BioPharm America conference in Boston. A complete list of "Fierce 15" companies – the online newsletter's tenth annual selection – is available online at .

bluebird bio is developing innovative gene therapies for severe genetic disorders. At the heart of bluebird bio’s product creation efforts is its broadly applicable gene therapy platform for the development of novel treatments for diseases with few or no clinical options. The company’s novel approach uses stem cells harvested from the patient’s own bone marrow into which a healthy version of the disease causing gene is inserted. bluebird bio’s approach represents a true paradigm shift in the treatment of severe genetic diseases by eliminating the potential complications associated with donor cell transplantation and potentially presenting a one-time transformative therapy using a patient’s own stem cells. bluebird bio has two later stage clinical products in development for childhood cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy (CCALD) and beta-thalassemia, and plans to initiate a program in sickle cell disease. Led by a world-class team, its operations are located in Cambridge, Mass. and Paris, France. For more information, please visit .

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