Bluebird bio’s decision to focus on the US market is being seen as a broader signal of the need for changes in market access policies to enable gene therapies to be made available for European patients. Only collaborative work will create solutions acceptable to payers and companies, and finding an acceptable price that both can live with will be crucial.

bluebird bio's decision to wind down commercial initiatives for its gene therapy business in Europe is a blow for the sector in the region as a whole. 

Health technology assessment body NICE has welcomed further discussion between Orchard Therapeutics and the National Health Service to resolve its concerns over the company’s one-time gene therapy for the neurodegenerative disorder, metachromatic leukodystrophy, in children.

Private Company Edition: Dyno’s first VC round will enable more deals for its novel AAV platform; Eikon pioneers new drug discovery technology. Also, Treeline’s early funding revealed at $211.7m; Capsida raised $140m from a VC round, AbbVie deal; and Affinia closed a $110m series B round.