Bluebird Bio Rebrands to Genetix Biotherapeutics and Secures New Funding

Bluebird bio, a company once at the forefront of the cell and gene therapy (CGT) market, has rebranded as Genetix Biotherapeutics. This change marks a return to the company’s original name from its founding in 1992, and signals a new strategic direction after being sold to private investment firms earlier this year.

New Leadership and Financial Strength

Now under the ownership of private investment firms Carlyle and SK Capital Partners, Genetix Biotherapeutics is armed with new leadership and “significant capital” from current investors. According to the company, this renewed financial and operational strength better positions it to leverage its decades of scientific innovation and clinical data to deliver “life-changing genetic therapies.”

The new CEO, David Meek, who previously led companies like Novartis Canada and Ipsen, took the helm in June 2025. “Our rebrand is far more than a name change—it represents renewed hope for thousands of individuals who could benefit from our genetic therapies,” Meek stated. He emphasized the company’s commitment to making its one-time administered, durable treatments more accessible to patients.

History and Regulatory Context

As bluebird bio, the company achieved significant regulatory success with the approval of three gene therapies: Lyfgenia for sickle cell disease, Zynteglo for β-thalassemia, and Skysona for cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy.

Despite a peak valuation of $10 billion, the company struggled with profitability, a common challenge during a wider downturn in the advanced therapies space. The rebranding comes at a time when the CGT sector is under increased regulatory scrutiny. For example, the FDA recently restricted the use of the company’s own therapy, Skysona, due to concerns about a potential link to blood cancer. This incident, along with safety concerns surrounding Sarepta’s Duchenne muscular dystrophy treatment, has brought attention back to the safety and cost-effectiveness of these innovative treatments.