Carlyle and SK Capital Complete Acquisition of bluebird bio
2 minute read | June.12.2025
Global investment firms Carlyle and SK Capital Partners have completed their acquisition of bluebird bio, a pioneer in gene therapies for severe genetic diseases. This acquisition will enable bluebird to rapidly scale access to lifechanging gene therapies and focus on expanding manufacturing capacity and improving the treatment experience for patients and providers.
Orrick represented Carlyle and SK Capital.
THE COMPANIES
Carlyle 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 Carlyle AlpInvest.
SK Capital is a transformational private investment firm with a disciplined focus on the life sciences, specialty materials, and ingredients sectors.
bluebird bio is a commercial-stage biotherapeutics company focused on developing and delivering gene therapies for severe genetic diseases. With more than a decade of scientific leadership in gene therapy and three FDA-approved therapies for sickle cell disease, β-thalassemia, and cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy, the company is committed to ensuring access, reliability, and patient-centered care.
THE IMPACT
“We are excited to back bluebird in partnership with SK Capital. We believe providing bluebird the necessary funding along with the new leadership team will help bluebird realize its full potential,” said Joe Bress, Carlyle Partner and Global Co-Head of Healthcare. Bali Muralidhar, Co-Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer & COO of Abingworth, Carlyle’s life sciences investment franchise, added, “There is an incredible opportunity to bring bluebird’s groundbreaking therapies to more patients in need, and we look forward to advancing bluebird in its mission.”
David Meek, who became Chief Executive Officer of bluebird at close, said, “Today marks the beginning of a new era for bluebird as its go-forward financial backing and leadership team will better enable all stakeholders to realize the full potential of our revolutionary therapies. Historically, bluebird has excelled as a scientific innovator and should be very proud of the many achievements it has delivered to patients. Our vision is to further that legacy of scientific excellence while improving the commercial execution of our approved products to rapidly expand access to lifechanging gene therapies.”
“SK Capital looks forward to partnering with David and his team as well as Carlyle to scale bluebird’s pioneering gene therapies that can make a lifechanging difference for patients around the world,” said Aaron Davenport, Managing Director at SK Capital, adding, “We believe our deep collective experience in manufacturing and commercializing therapies can help drive the next chapter of bluebird’s growth.”
THE TEAM
Gregg Griner, Tony Chan, and Albert Vanderlaan led the Orrick team, which also included Kayla Southworth, Kyle Zhu, Marley Brison Henchar, Lois Emmanuel, Jimmy Frost, Bailey Higgs, Andy Bloom, Dolph Hellman, Noel Pacheco, Jason Flaherty, Keith Tidwell, Sharon Zhou, Lisa Lupion, David Sharrow, Tiffany Leung, Rachel Nghe, Richard Martinelli, Jessica Stern, Alex Talarides, M. Todd Scott, Georgia Ravitz, Shari Esfahani, Melania Jankowski, Alyssa Wolfington, Amy Joseph, Thora Johnson, Craig Falls, Scott Cohn, Kristin Petersen, Victoria Newbold, Eric Wall, Kimberly Loocke, John Narducci, William Haft, Nanette Agustines, Jongmin Char, Neetu Ahlawat, Yvonne Nyborg, Christina Bouchot, Alexandra Kleemann, Emily Luken, Millay Kogan, Alexa Steranko, Chelsea Smith and Debbie Abernathy.