bluebird's beti-cel good value at $2.1 million, ICER says

Not all that many things have gone well for US biotech bluebird bio (Nasdaq: BLUE) in recent years, but the company had some good news this week in the shape of a draft evidence report from the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER).

The report considered the cost-effectiveness and value of betibeglogene autotemcel (beti-cel) for the treatment of beta thalassemia.

Also known as Zynteglo, this gene therapy won European approvals but bluebird has since withdrawn from the European market following failed negotiations over the prices of its products. A price of $1.7 million had been proposed in this case, with $342,000 to be paid upfront and the remainder only payable if treatment continues to be efficacious.