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bluebird bio Stock Up on Start of Phase III LentiGlobin Study

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bluebird bio, Inc. (BLUE - Free Report) announced the commencement of a phase III study on its experimental gene therapy, LentiGlobin, which will incorporate an improved manufacturing process to increase transduction efficiency in patients with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia, a rare blood disorder.

Shares of the biotech company were up almost 9% yesterday on the news.

HGB-207, a global, multi-center study, will comprise the addition of bluebird bio’s transduction enhancers to the hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) manufacturing process. The company believes that adding transduction enhancers to the manufacturing process will lead to a substantial increase in hemoglobin levels in patients and reduce their transfusion requirements.

The primary endpoint of the study is to see whether patients on LentiGlobin, in combination with transduction enhancers, can achieve a 12-month transfusion-free period after transplant.

LentiGlobin has been granted Breakthrough Therapy status in the U.S. for the treatment of transfusion-dependent patients suffering from beta-thalassemia major.

bluebird bio also aims to incorporate these transduction enhancers into the manufacturing process for its another clinical trial, HGB-206, in the treatment of patients with severe sickle cell disease (SCD).

HGB-207 will primarily be conducted in the US. and is confirmatory in the EU.

bluebird bio has another candidate in its pipeline – Lenti-D, which is being studied in a phase II/III study (Starbeam Study) for the treatment of childhood cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy. We expect investor focus to remain on further pipeline updates from the company.

Zacks Rank & Key Picks

bluebird bio currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in medical genetics sector include ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ANIP - Free Report) , Anika Therapeutics Inc. (ANIK - Free Report) and Cambrex Corporation . Each of these stocks sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

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