Celgene

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Celgene Corporation NASDAQ: CELG is a manufacturer of drug therapies for cancer and inflammatory disorders. It is incorporated in Delaware and headquartered in Summit, New Jersey. As of February 1, 2006, the company had 944 full-time employees, 531 who were engaged primarily in research and development activities.[1] The company's best-selling drug is currently THALOMID® (thalidomide), which is approved for the acute treatment of the cutaneous manifestations of moderate to severe erythema nodosum leprosum ("ENL"), but which is also widely prescribed off-label for treating multiple myeloma and other cancers. In 2005, THALOMID® had net product sales of $387.8 million.[2]. The company also recently received FDA approval to market REVLIMID® (lenalidomide) for the treatment of patients with transfusion-dependent anemia due to Low- or Intermediate-1-risk MDS associated with a deletion 5q cytogenetic abnormality with or without additional cytogenetic abnormalities. Both THALOMID® and REVLIMID® are sold through proprietary risk-management distribution programs to ensure safe and appropriate use of these pharmaceuticals. Celgene also receives royalties from Novartis Pharma AG on sales of the entire RITALIN® family of drugs, which are widely used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Celgene Cellular Therapeutics, a subsidiary, is a public cord blood bank.

1 History
2 Products
3 References
4 External links

[edit] History

In 1986, Celgene, originally a unit of the Celanese Corporation, was spun off as an independent company following the merger of Celanese Corporation with American Hoechst Corporation.

In July 1998, Celgene received approval from the FDA to market THALOMID® for the acute treatment of the cutaneous manifestations of moderate to severe ENL.

In April 2000, Celgene reached an agreement with Novartis Pharma AG to license d-MPH, Celgene's chirally pure version of RITALIN®. The FDA subsequently granted approval to market d-MPH, or FOCALIN®, in November 2001.

In August 2000, Celgene acquired Signal Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately held company that searches for and develops pharmaceuticals that regulate disease-related genes. Signal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. now operates as Celgene Research San Diego, a wholly owned subsidiary of Celgene Corporation.

In December 2002, Celgene acquired Anthrogenesis, a privately held New Jersey-based biotherapeutics company and cord blood banking business, which is developing technology for the recovery of stem cells from placental tissues following the completion of full-term successful pregnancies. Anthrogenesis now operates as Celgene Cellular Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Celgene.

In December 2005, Celgene received approval from the FDA to market REVLIMID® for the treatment of patients with transfusion-dependent anemia due to Low- or Intermediate-1-risk MDS associated with a deletion 5q cytogenetic abnormality with or without additional cytogenetic abnormalities.

In May 2006, Celgene received approval for THALOMID® in combination with dexamethasone for the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

[edit] Products

REVLIMID® (lenalidomide)
THALOMID® (thalidomide)
ALKERAN® (melphalan) (Celgene is a licensed distributor for GlaxoSmithKline plc.)
FOCALIN® (dexmethlyphenidate hydrochloride) and FOCALIN XR (Novartis AG sells and Celgene receives royalties.)