Carlyle and SK Capital Receive All Required Regulatory Approvals to Complete the Acquisition of bluebird bio

bluebird bio, Inc. announced that all required regulatory approvals have been received for its acquisition by Carlyle and SK Capital. The bluebird Board of Directors unanimously supports the deal, urging stockholders to tender their shares by May 12, 2025, calling it the only viable way for them to receive value.
Carlyle and SK Capital Receive All Required Regulatory Approvals to Complete the Acquisition of bluebird bio
bluebird Board of Directors unanimously supports the transaction as the only viable option for stockholders to receive consideration for their shares and recommends that all stockholders immediately tender their shares into the offer

Parties expect the merger to be completed promptly following the successful completion of the ongoing tender offer

SOMERVILLE, Mass.--(BUSINESSWIRE)--May 5, 2025--bluebird bio, Inc. (NASDAQ: BLUE) (“bluebird” or “the Company”), Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) (“Carlyle”), SK Capital Partners, LP (“SK Capital”) and Beacon Parent Holdings, L.P. (“Parent”) announced today that all required regulatory approvals to complete the previously announced acquisition of the Company by Carlyle and SK Capital have been received. 

No further regulatory approvals are required to complete the transaction. The parties expect to complete the merger promptly following the successful completion of the ongoing tender offer, which is scheduled to expire one minute after 11:59 p.m. New York City time on May 12, 2025, unless the tender offer is further extended or earlier terminated. 

Under the terms of the merger agreement, stockholders will receive an upfront payment of $3.00 per share in cash and a contingent value right (CVR) of $6.84 per share in cash payable upon achievement of a net sales milestone, for a total potential value of $9.84 per share. The bluebird board of directors (the “Board”) unanimously recommends that stockholders tender into the offer. 

“The bluebird Board unanimously recommends that stockholders tender into the offer, which expires May 12, 2025. Absent a majority of stockholders tendering, bluebird is at significant risk of defaulting on its loan agreements with Hercules Capital and it is extremely unlikely that stockholders would receive any consideration for their shares in a bankruptcy or liquidation,” said Mark Vachon, chairman of the bluebird bio Board of Directors. “The bluebird Board considered all reasonable alternatives during its review of strategic alternatives and concluded that the proposed transaction with Carlyle and SK Capital is the only viable solution to generate value for bluebird stockholders. We strongly urge stockholders to tender their shares before the expiration date to ensure the best possible outcome for all bluebird stakeholders and the patients that depend on its treatments.”

“The receipt of all required regulatory approvals is excellent news for stockholders as well as for patients and families seeking to be treated with bluebird gene therapies,” said Andrew Obenshain, chief executive officer, bluebird bio. “With this update, we have a clear path forward to close the transaction and officially begin the next chapter of bluebird’s journey to deliver potentially curative gene therapies in the commercial setting.” 

Stockholders who need assistance with tendering their shares of common stock of bluebird may contact the Information Agent, Innisfree M&A Incorporated, by calling toll-free at (877) 825-8793.

About bluebird bio
Founded in 2010, bluebird has been setting the standard for gene therapy for more than a decade—first as a scientific pioneer and now as a commercial leader. bluebird has an unrivaled track record in bringing the promise of gene therapy out of clinical studies and into the real-world setting, having secured FDA approvals for three therapies in under two years. Today, we are proving and scaling the commercial model for gene therapy and delivering innovative solutions for access to patients, providers, and payers.

With a dedicated focus on severe genetic diseases, bluebird has the largest and deepest ex-vivo gene therapy data set in the field, with industry-leading programs for sickle cell disease, ß-thalassemia, and cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy. We custom design each of our therapies to address the underlying cause of disease and have developed in-depth and effective analytical methods to understand the safety of our lentiviral vector technologies and drive the field of gene therapy forward.

bluebird continues to forge new paths as a standalone commercial gene therapy company, combining our real-world experience with a deep commitment to patient communities and a people-centric culture that attracts and grows a diverse flock of dedicated birds.

About Carlyle
Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) is a global investment firm with deep industry expertise that deploys private capital across its business and conducts its operations through three business segments: Global Private Equity, Global Credit and Global Investment Solutions. With $441 billion of assets under management as of December 31, 2024, Carlyle's purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, portfolio companies and the communities in which we live and invest. Carlyle employs more than 2,300 people in 29 offices across four continents. Further information is available at www.carlyle.com. Follow Carlyle on X @OneCarlyle and LinkedIn at The Carlyle Group.

About SK Capital
SK Capital is a transformational private investment firm with a disciplined focus on the life sciences, specialty materials, and ingredients sectors. The firm seeks to build resilient, sustainable, and growing businesses that create substantial long-term value. SK Capital aims to utilize its industry, operating, and investment experience to identify opportunities to transform businesses into higher performing organizations with improved strategic positioning, growth, and profitability, as well as lower operating risk. SK Capital’s portfolio of businesses generates revenues of approximately $12 billion annually, employs more than 25,000 people globally, and operates more than 200 plants in over 30 countries. The firm currently has approximately $9 billion in assets under management. For more information, please visit www.skcapitalpartners.com.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND WHERE TO FIND IT
This communication is not an offer to buy nor a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities of bluebird. The solicitation and the offer to buy shares of bluebird’s common stock is being made pursuant to a Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO, including an offer to purchase, a letter of transmittal and other related materials, that were filed by Beacon Parent Holdings, L.P. (“Parent”) and Beacon Merger Sub, Inc. (“Merger Sub”) with the SEC on March 7, 2025. In addition, bluebird has filed a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 with respect to the tender offer with the SEC on March 7, 2025. The tender offer materials and the Solicitation/Recommendation statement, as they may be amended from time to time, contain important information that should be read carefully when they become available and considered before any decision is made with respect to the tender offer. Investors will be able to obtain a free copy of these materials and other documents filed by Parent, Merger Sub and bluebird with the SEC at the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Investors may also obtain, at no charge, copies of these materials and other documents by calling Innisfree M&A Incorporated, the information agent for the Offer, toll-free at (877) 825-8793 for stockholders or by calling collect at (212) 750-5833 for banks or brokers.

INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE ADVISED TO READ THESE DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING THE SOLICITATION/RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT ON SCHEDULE 14D-9 OF BLUEBIRD AND ANY AMENDMENTS THERETO, AS WELL AS ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE TENDER OFFER AND THE MERGER THAT ARE FILED WITH THE SEC, CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY PRIOR TO MAKING ANY DECISIONS WITH RESPECT TO WHETHER TO TENDER THEIR SHARES INTO THE TENDER OFFER BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION, INCLUDING THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE TENDER OFFER.

Investors & Media Contacts

Bluebird

Investors:
Courtney O’Leary 
978-621-7347

Media:
Jess Rowlands

Media:
Brittany Berliner
+1 (212) 813-4839
brittany.berliner@carlyle.com

SK Capital
 
Ben Dillon
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Carlyle Group
Carlyle Group
Washington, DC, United States
Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) is a global investment firm with deep industry expertise that deploys private capital across three business segments: Global Private Equity, Global Credit, and Global Investment Solutions. With $441 billion of assets under management as of December 31, 2024, Carlyle’s purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, portfolio companies, and the communities in which we live and invest. Carlyle employs more than 2,300 people in 29 offices across four continents.
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