bluebird bio to separate oncology and rare diseases units New oncology company will be led by current bluebird bio CEO Nick Leschly bluebird bio has announced plans to spin out its oncology unit into a new company (“Oncology Newco”) while it will remain focused on developing gene therapies for rare diseases. Oncology Newco will be established as an independent organisation and will be led by bluebird bio’s current chief executive officer Nick Leschly. bluebird bio, which will retain its focus on severe genetic diseases (SGD), will be headed by the current president of the company’s SGD business Andrew Obenshain, with Leschly set to take on the role of executive chair.