Bluebird Bio Inc. disclosed during its second-quarter earnings release on Aug. 14 that it has had only four patients start treatment with Lyfgenia (lovotibeglogene autotemcel), a gene therapy for sickle cell disease (SCD) that the FDA approved in December. While company executives claimed there was still strong patient demand and payer interest for the treatment, Wall Street analysts noted the launch was slower than expected and called into question the ability of the medication to make an impact in the market.
Bluebird executives also said they’re encouraged with the strides they’re making in discussions with payers, but admitted it was “too early to tell” if the drug will run into any coverage issues.