CAMBRIDGE, Mass., – March 23, 2016 – Synlogic, a privately-held biopharmaceutical company developing novel medicines based on its proprietary synthetic biology and microbiome platform, today announced the expansion of its Board of Directors with the appointment of Mr. Nick Leschly, CEO of bluebird bio (NASDAQ: BLUE), Inc., as an independent Director.

“We are delighted to welcome Nick to the Board of Directors,” said Jose Carlos Gutiérrez-Ramos, Ph.D., CEO of Synlogic. “We look forward to leveraging his substantial industry experience as we advance our robust pipeline towards the clinic and expand the platform. Nick brings significant insight into building and growing companies with innovative technology platforms.  Importantly, Nick shares our vision and passion for making a difference for patients.”

Nick Leschly has served as the chief bluebird since September 2010. Formerly, Nick was a partner and founding member of Third Rock Ventures in 2007. Nick played an integral role in the overall formation, development and business strategy of several of Third Rock’s portfolio companies, including Agios Pharmaceuticals (AGIO), Inc. Prior to joining Third Rock, he worked at Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., leading several early-stage drug development programs and served as the product leader for VELCADE. He received his B.S. in molecular biology from Princeton University and his MBA from Wharton Business School. He currently serves as a board member of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO).

“Synlogic’s approach of developing precision-programmed probiotics to treat human disease is revolutionary and has the potential to bring transformative therapies to the patients,” Mr. Leschly said. “I’m thrilled to join Synlogic at a time of great momentum.”

About Synlogic

 Synlogic is a privately-held biopharmaceutical company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, pioneering the development of a novel class of therapeutics, called synthetic biotics, based on its proprietary synthetic biology and microbiome platform. Synlogic’s two lead therapeutic programs are being developed for the potential treatment of rare inborn errors of metabolism of Urea Cycle Disorder (UCD) and Phenylketonuria (PKU). In addition to the company’s proprietary pipeline focused on rare diseases, the company is leveraging the broad potential of its synthetic biotics platform for novel drug development in major disease areas through partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.  Synlogic is collaborating with AbbVie to develop synthetic biotics-based treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).  Synlogic is backed by leading life sciences investors, including Atlas Venture, New Enterprise Associates (NEA), Orbimed, Deerfield and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. For more information, please visit http://synlogictx.com/.

CONTACTS:

Synlogic
Alison Silva
Chief Operating Officer
617-299-8404

Kathryn Morris (Media)
The Yates Network
845-635-9828