bluebird bio CEO and leadership

Nick Leschly has served as our chief bluebird since September 2010. Formerly, Nick was a partner and founding member of Third Rock Ventures in 2007. Nick played an integral role in the overall formation, development and business strategy of several of Third Rock’s portfolio companies, including Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Edimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Prior to joining Third Rock, he worked at Millennium Pharmaceuticals, leading several early-stage drug development programs and served as the product leader for VELCADE. Nick also founded and served as chief executive officer of MedXtend Corporation. He received his B.S. in molecular biology from Princeton University and his MBA from Wharton Business School. He currently serves as a board member of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) and Synlogic Therapeutics.

Andrew Obenshain is a Chief of Wings at BLUEBIRD BIO, INC. and is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He has worked as SVP, Head of Europe at BLUEBIRD BIO, INC.; Associate Director Oncology Business Development at Genzyme; and Associate at Scale Venture Partners. Andrew studied at KELLOGG SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT between 2002 and 2004 and DARTMOUTH COLLEGE between 1992 and 1996.

Tom, who joined the flock in May of 2021 as the Chief Commercial Officer, has deep passion for patients and experience across multiple commercial roles in both rare diseases and oncology. Most recently, Tom served as Chief Commercial Officer at Gamida Cell, leading a high-growth, fast paced oncology cell therapy organization and establishing a culture of transparency, trust and empowerment. Prior to his tenure at Gamida Cell, Tom served in a variety of leadership roles at Atara Biotherapeutics, Navidea Biopharmaceuticals and Algeta U.S. where he led the successful commercial build-out and launch of Xofigo®. Before Algeta, he held various commercial leadership positions at Dendreon. Tom began his pharmaceutical career at Eli Lilly where he held several positions of increasing responsibility and participated in the global launch of Cymbalta®. Tom earned a B.A. in Business Administration and Marketing from Western State College.

Experienced biotechnology COO, CLO and Board Member• Chief operations and legal executive for public biotechnology company. Responsible for business operations, including severe genetic disease business strategy, corporate development and government affairs & policy and enterprise operations, IT and facilities. Responsible for corporate governance and overseeing the legal & compliance support for business development, corporate finance, manufacturing, regulatory, clinical development, research, commercialization and strategic development of IP portfolios.• Member of the bluebird executive leadership team, where I provide practical business and legal advice. • Experience with broader business management responsibilities, including corporate development, government affairs and policy, program and alliance management, strategy, issues and risk management, compliance, information technology and facilities.• Extensive transactional and financial experience from prior general counsel positions and private practice in transactions in the biotechnology sector, including M&A, IPOs, financing transactions, divestitures, venture capital transactions and collaborations/licenses.Specialties: Biotechnology, securities law, collaboration agreements, M&A, IPOs, venture capital, private equity, business development, corporate development, corporate governance, public affairs, pharmaceuticals, business operations, IP strategy and alliance management

Nick Leschly has served as our chief bluebird since September 2010. Formerly, Nick was a partner and founding member of Third Rock Ventures in 2007. Nick played an integral role in the overall formation, development and business strategy of several of Third Rock’s portfolio companies, including Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Edimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Prior to joining Third Rock, he worked at Millennium Pharmaceuticals, leading several early-stage drug development programs and served as the product leader for VELCADE. Nick also founded and served as chief executive officer of MedXtend Corporation. He received his B.S. in molecular biology from Princeton University and his MBA from Wharton Business School. He currently serves as a board member of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) and Synlogic Therapeutics.

Andrew Obenshain is a Chief of Wings at BLUEBIRD BIO, INC. and is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He has worked as SVP, Head of Europe at BLUEBIRD BIO, INC.; Associate Director Oncology Business Development at Genzyme; and Associate at Scale Venture Partners. Andrew studied at KELLOGG SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT between 2002 and 2004 and DARTMOUTH COLLEGE between 1992 and 1996.