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Company Profiles - Bluebird Bio - Basingstoke

Jamie Ellis
August 2, 2019
Company Profiles - Bluebird Bio - Basingstoke

With an inspiring company story we chatted to DeskLodge Basingstoke residents bluebird bio about their goals to create genetic awareness and potentially lifesaving changes to the healthcare systems and how DeskLodge works for them.

                   

Company profiles bluebird bio.jpg

       

What does your business do?

bluebird bio is a cell and gene therapy company. We are developing gene therapies for the treatment of severe, genetic rare diseases and cancer, with the goal that people facing potentially fatal conditions with limited treatment options can live their lives fully. Beyond our labs, we’re working to positively disrupt the healthcare system to create access, transparency and education so that gene therapy can become available to all those who can benefit.

How long have you been at DeskLodge Basingstoke?

bluebird bio set up shop at DeskLodge in November last year

How do you use our space?

We have a private office. This is our first office space in the UK.

We are headquartered in Cambridge, USA, and are expanding our presence in Europe.

Why did you choose DeskLodge and a coworking environment?

Given that bluebird bio is a global company, with six offices in Europe and three in the US, transport connections are key! Heathrow and London are only a stone’s throw away, catering for our need to easily connect with our central hub and global colleagues.

DeskLodge’s atmosphere and quirkiness matches the bluebird culture and mindset, making it an easy choice for us.

How does DeskLodge work for you and are there any successes?

Basingstoke has historical ties to the pharmaceutical industry, something that we see as important when attracting talent.

How has DeskLodge helped your business improve productivity?

We are still relatively new residents at Desklodge, but so far it has provided us with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, and a flexible space where we can work collaboratively towards our business objectives. It is bluebird bio UK’s first home and has certainly provided us with a really effective base in which to carry out our UK operations.

What do you enjoy the most about working at DeskLodge Basingstoke?

The office is always buzzing with activity and there are always people around that make it a vibrant place to work. The staff and other residents are really approachable and always have such interesting stories to tell! The café downstairs and the funky meeting rooms all help to make this a fun working environment