bluebird tech to jump-start Novo in gene editing for hemophilia

A deal with bluebird bio is the latest move in Novo Nordisk’s push to remake its R&D, this time by partnering to develop a gene therapy for hemophilia A. The deal comes as sales for the company’s hemophilia franchise are slipping and a gene therapy from BioMarin is poised for registration.

Under the three-year deal, financial terms of which are undisclosed, the companies will use mRNA-based megaTAL gene editing technology from bluebird bio Inc. (NASDAQ:BLUE) to correct Factor VIII...