Celgene Corporation is a manufacturer of drug therapies for cancer and inflammatory disorders. It is incorporated in Delaware and headquartered in Summit, New Jersey. The company's major products are THALOMID (thalidomide), which is approved for the acute treatment of the cutaneous manifestations of moderate to severe erythema nodosum leprosum ("ENL"), as well as in combination with dexamethasone for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, and REVLIMID (lenalidomide), for which the company has received FDA and EMEA approval in combination with dexamethasone for the treatment of multiple myeloma patients who have received at least one prior therapy. REVLIMID is also approved in the United States 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).
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.
In June 2007, Celgene received full marketing authorization for REVLIMID in combination with dexamethasone as a treatment for patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy by the European Commission.
In March 2008, Celgene closed its $2.9 billion acquisition of Pharmion Corporation.
In December 2009, Celgene announced the acquisition of Gloucester Pharmaceuticals. .
In June 2010 Celgene Corporation and Abraxis BioScience Inc. jointly announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement in which Celgene has agreed to acquire Abraxis BioScience.