Celgene buys up Pharmion

pharmafile | March 14, 2008 | News story | Sales and Marketing  

Specialist biopharma company Celgene has bought Pharmion for $2.9 billion in a bid to become a global leader in haematology and oncology.

Celgene is a specialist company focusing on developing treatments for cancer and inflammatory diseases through gene and protein regulation.

The acquisition of Pharmion gives Celgene a key new drug, Vidaza, a treatment for anaemia and chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia.

Sol Barer, chairman and chief executive of Celgene, said: "By bringing together these two outstanding companies, we are creating a global leader in haematology and oncology.

"We are now able to serve these patients through three major approved therapies, with a strong portfolio of haematology and solid tumour candidates advancing through our pipeline to address future needs."

Celgene is a US-based company founded in 1986. It opened its UK offices two years ago, primarily to support the launch of its lead drug Revlimid – the first new pill for multiple myeloma patients in 40 years.

Celgene gained European marketing approval for Revlimid in this indication in June 2007, and the drug is currently awaiting appraisal from NICE and the SMC.

The company is also pursuing a wider the label for the drug, which will allow it to treat patients suffering from different types of myelodysplastic syndrome.

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