Exhibit 99.2
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/8-K/0001193125-23-258963/g517250g1018071304712.jpg)
Beam Therapeutics Announces Portfolio Prioritization and Strategic Restructuring Focused on Potential Near-term Value Drivers and Long-term Growth of Precision Genetic Medicines Pipeline
Highest priority programs – BEAM-101 and ESCAPE for sickle cell disease and BEAM-302 for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency – expected to provide foundation for meaningful value creation
Company to explore partnership opportunities for continued development of select programs
Anticipated cost savings, which includes an approximately 20% reduction in workforce, expected to extend the company’s cash runway into 2026
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., October 19, 2023 - Beam Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: BEAM), a biotechnology company developing precision genetic medicines through base editing, today announced portfolio priorities and plans to streamline its business operations to support potential near-term value drivers and long-term growth. This plan includes cost reduction initiatives that align with the company’s near-term goals, and the anticipated cost savings are expected to extend its revised operating plan into 2026.
“From the beginning, Beam’s strategy has been to develop base editing technology broadly across a diverse portfolio of programs and delivery modalities, and our science and pipeline continue to progress across the board. In this challenging market environment, however, we need to make the difficult decision to focus our resources on those clinical programs and research areas we believe have the highest potential for near-term value creation, while continuing to build a strong company for the future,” said John Evans, chief executive officer of Beam. “We are grateful for the dedication and innumerable contributions of our impacted colleagues. We understand the challenge this presents for them and are fully committed to supporting them throughout this process.”
“Base editing represents a potentially best-in-class gene editing technology designed to provide differentiated benefits for patients, as exemplified by our sickle cell disease and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency development programs,” continued Mr. Evans. “Looking ahead, while our pipeline and research efforts will be more streamlined, we expect to continue our track record of generating innovative new base editing programs and creative partnership opportunities. We are steadfast in our mission to bring new precision genetic medicines to patients suffering from serious diseases.”
Beam outlined the following key strategic decisions for its portfolio of pipeline programs:
| • | | Prioritize development of its ex vivo and in vivo sickle cell disease programs, including BEAM-101, its Engineered Stem Cell Antibody Paired Evasion (ESCAPE) non-genotoxic conditioning strategy, and in vivo delivery to hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). |
| • | | Prioritize development of its in vivo base editor BEAM-302 for the treatment of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD). |