Bluebird Bio Acquisition Finalized as Regulatory Approvals Secured

Deal News | May 05, 2025 | The Carlyle Group

Carlyle Group and SK Capital Partners have received all necessary regulatory approvals to complete their acquisition of Bluebird Bio. The transaction includes an upfront payment of $3.00 per share for Bluebird stockholders and a contingent value right of $6.84 per share, conditional on achieving a net sales milestone. The Bluebird board of directors has urged stockholders to participate in the tender offer, cautioning that failure to tender shares by the deadline could result in unfavorable outcomes due to potential defaults on loan agreements. The completion of this deal marks a crucial step in advancing Bluebird's mission in the gene therapy sector.

Sectors

  • Healthcare
  • Private Equity
  • Biotechnology

Geography

  • United States – Bluebird Bio, as well as the transactions being managed by Carlyle and SK Capital, are primarily based in the United States.
  • Global – SK Capital operates over 200 plants in over 30 countries, emphasizing a global reach in its business operations.

Industry

  • Healthcare – The article involves Bluebird Bio, a healthcare company focusing on gene therapies, which is a significant part of the healthcare sector.
  • Private Equity – The involvement of Carlyle Group and SK Capital Partners in the acquisition marks this transaction as a part of the private equity industry.
  • Biotechnology – Bluebird Bio's core operations are in gene therapy, highlighting its role within the biotechnology sector.

Financials

  • $3.00 per share – Upfront cash payment per share for Bluebird Bio's stockholders as part of the acquisition.
  • $6.84 per share – Contingent value right per share, payable on achieving a net sales milestone.
  • $9.84 per share – Total potential value per share for stockholders if conditions are met.

Participants

NameRoleTypeDescription
Bluebird Bio, Inc.Target CompanyCompanyA biotech company pioneering gene therapies.
The Carlyle GroupAcquiring Company - Private EquityCompanyA global investment firm acquiring Bluebird Bio.
SK Capital PartnersAcquiring Company PartnerCompanyA private investment firm focusing on life sciences partnering with Carlyle.
Beacon Parent Holdings, L.P.Vehicle for TransactionCompanyThe entity involved in filing for the tender offer.
Hercules CapitalCreditorCompanyCreditor to Bluebird Bio, involved in loan agreements.
Innisfree M&A IncorporatedInformation AgentCompanyHandles inquiries related to the tender offer for Bluebird's acquisition.