Bluebird bio lays off staffers in Europe as Zynteglo rollout hits an early reimbursement snag

The rollout of bluebird bio’s blood disease gene therapy Zynteglo is off to a rough start—to say the least.

After resolving a manufacturing-related setback and overcoming another delay caused by COVID-19, the Massachusetts biotech has failed to reach a reimbursement deal with authorities in Germany, its first launch country, the company said Tuesday.