Zynteglo Gene Therapy Withdrawn in Germany

Cambridge, Mass.-based bluebird bio announced that it is withdrawing Zynteglo, its gene therapy for beta thalassemia, a rare blood disorder, from the German market because of pricing issues.

The move follows reimbursement negotiations with the German government that yielded lower pricing estimates than desired, the company said. The first commercial infusion of Zynteglo (betibeglogene autotemcel (beti-cel)) took place in Germany in February.

The drugmaker is still in pricing negotiations with other European countries and said it will provide an update in the current quarter.