bluebird bio chief medical officer David Davidson said bluebird bio has made advances in lentiviral vector design, transduction efficiency and in manufacturing process, enabling the production of gene-modified products that can be scaled and deployed for many different clinical indications.
”We are delighted that CIRM has chosen to recognize the importance of this innovative approach for the treatment of one of the most commonly inherited blood disorders, and we are excited to work with CIRM to continue the development of LentiGlobin in the U.S," Davidson added.
LentiGlobin introduces fully functional human beta-globin gene into the patient’s own hematopoietic stem cells to produce functioning red blood cells.
The company is presently conducting a phase 1/2 trial for LentiGlobin to assess its feasibility, safety and efficacy to treat beta-thalassemia and sickle cell disease.
The CIRM award forms the first award under the agency’s Strategic Partnership Awards initiative.