bluebird bio promotes Joanne Smith-Farrell to CBO

US biotech firm bluebird bio (Nasdaq: BLUE) has appointed Joanne Smith-Farrell to chief business officer. In this role, she will lead corporate development and strategy, and she will also continue to serve as our oncology franchise leader.

“Under Joanne’s leadership, bluebird has built a strong corporate development team that has executed on significant deal flow, enhancing our emerging immuno-oncology and severe genetic disease pipeline and expanding our set of tools, technologies, capabilities and partners,” said Jeff Walsh, chief strategy officer, bluebird bio. “She has also built a robust structure and team leading our growing oncology franchise.”

“As bluebird continues to expand its research, development and commercial efforts, I’m motivated by the personal stories of those we are aiming to help with our portfolio of novel tools and technologies,” said Dr Smith-Farrell. “I look forward to continuing to work with the entire bluebird team and our partners who have joined us in our meaningful efforts to recode opportunities in cell and gene therapy to tackle a range of unmet needs for patients.”