In addition, on January 11, 2021, bluebird announced certain planned future changes in the composition of its board of directors and management in connection with, and contingent upon successful completion of its announced
intent to separate its core severe genetic disease and its oncology businesses into two independent, publicly-traded companies (bluebird and Oncology Newco, respectively). Effective upon the separation, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2021, Nick Leschly will step down from his position as chief executive officer of bluebird and Andrew Obenshain, would become chief executive officer of bluebird. Mr. Obenshain joined bluebird in 2016 as its senior vice president, Head of Europe, and since then has served in roles of increasing responsibility and currently as president of bluebird's severe genetic disease business. Prior to joining bluebird, Mr. Obenshain was the General Manager of France and Benelux at Shire.
bluebird bio, Inc. is a biotechnology company. The Company is focused on researching, developing, and commercializing potentially curative gene therapies for severe genetic diseases based on its lentiviral vector (LVV) gene addition platform. Its lead gene therapy programs for sickle cell disease, B-thalassemia, and cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy and is advancing research to apply new technologies to these and other diseases. It has two gene therapies: ZYNTEGLO (betibeglogene autotemcel) and SKYSONA (elivaldogene autotemcel). ZYNTEGLO is the first gene therapy for people with B-thalassemia who require regular red blood cell transfusions. SKYSONA (elivaldogene autotemcel), also known as eli-cel, is used to slow the progression of eurologic dysfunction in boys 4-17 years of age with early, active cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy (CALD). It is also developing (lovotibeglogene autotemcel), also known as lovo-cel, as a one-time treatment for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD).