Bluebird nets $235mm through public stock sale

Bluebird bio Inc. (gene therapy for cancer and severe genetic diseases) netted $235mm through the public offering of 3.3mm common shares at $76. Some of the funds will support development of Phase I anti-BCMA CAR-T candidate bb2121, in development for multiple myeloma under a deal with Celgene (and could also be used for the potential exercise of bluebird's option to co-develop and co-promote the project under that collaboration). Proceeds will also fund the initiation of Phase I studies on additional anti-BCMA compounds, and other development, manufacturing, and commercialization activities.