bluebird bio Inc. filed SEC Form 8-K: Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement, Financial Statements and Exhibits

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 22, 2022

bluebird bio, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (339) 499-9300

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instructions A.2. below):

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company  ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

On June 22, 2022, bluebird bio, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement (the “Equity Distribution Agreement”) with Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (“Goldman”) to sell shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), with aggregate gross sales proceeds of up to $75.0 million, from time to time, through an “at the market” equity offering program under which Goldman will act as manager. The Equity Distribution Agreement also provides for the sale of shares to Goldman directly as principal, in which case the Company and Goldman will enter into a separate terms agreement (“Terms Agreement”).

Under the Equity Distribution Agreement, the Company will set the parameters for the sale of shares, including any price, time or size limits or other customary parameters or conditions. The Company intends to sell shares pursuant to the Equity Distribution Agreement from time to time in varying amounts, which may be limited, based upon factors including (among others) market conditions, trading liquidity, the trading price of the Company’s Common Stock, and determinations by the Company of its need for, and appropriate sources of, additional capital. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Equity Distribution Agreement, Goldman may sell the shares by any method permitted by law, including without limitation (i) by means of ordinary brokers’ transactions (whether or not solicited), (ii) to or through a market maker, (iii) directly on or through any national securities exchange or facility thereof, a trading facility of a national securities association, an alternative trading system, or any other market venue, (iv) in the over-the-counter market, (v) in privately negotiated transactions, or (vi) through a combination of any such methods. The Company will pay Goldman a commission equal to up to 3.0% of the gross proceeds of any Common Stock sold through Goldman under the Equity Distribution Agreement, and also has provided Goldman with customary representations, warranties, covenants and indemnification rights. The Equity Distribution Agreement may be terminated by the Company upon written notice to Goldman or by Goldman upon written notice to the Company. In the case of any purchase of shares by Goldman directly as principal pursuant to a Terms Agreement, such Terms Agreement may be terminated by Goldman upon notice to the Company under certain circumstances, including but not limited to the occurrence of a material adverse effect in the Company.

Any sales of shares under the Equity Distribution Agreement will be made pursuant to the Company’s shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-236489) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on February 18, 2020, which was automatically effective upon filing. The Company filed a prospectus supplement with the Commission on June 22, 2022 in connection with the offer and sale of the shares pursuant to the Equity Distribution Agreement.

The foregoing is only a brief description of the material terms of the Equity Distribution Agreement and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

Latham & Watkins LLP, counsel to the Company, has issued an opinion to the Company, dated June 22, 2022, regarding the validity of the shares of Common Stock to be issued and sold pursuant to the Equity Distribution Agreement. A copy of the opinion is filed as Exhibit 5.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

This Current Report on Form 8-K shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of any offer to buy the securities discussed herein, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale of the securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state.

(d) Exhibits

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.