History
Celgene was initially founded as a unit of the Celanese Corporation in 1980. However, following the 1986 merger of Celanese Corporation with American Hoechst Corporation, Celgene was spun off as an independent biopharmaceutical company.
In July 1998, the company received approval from the FDA to market THALOMID® (thalidomide) for the acute treatment of the cutaneous manifestations of moderate to severe erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL). THALOMID® is not indicated as monotherapy for such ENL treatment in the presence of moderate to severe neuritis. THALOMID® is also indicated as maintenance therapy for prevention and suppression of the cutaneous manifestations of ENL recurrence. In May 2006, Celgene received approval for THALOMID® in combination with dexamethasone for the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.
In April 2000, an agreement was reached with Novartis Pharma AG to license d-MPH our chirally pure version of RITALIN® CII. The FDA subsequently granted approval to market d-MPH or FOCALIN XR® CII in November 2001.
On August 31, 2000, with products on the market, Celgene completed a merger with Signal Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately held biopharmaceutical company focusing on the discovery and development of drugs that regulate genes associated with disease.
On December 31, 2002, we acquired Anthrogenesis Corporation, a privately held New Jersey based biotherapeutics company and cord blood banking business, which has also pioneered the recovery of stem cells from human placental tissue following the completion of a full-term, successful pregnancy. Anthrogenesis now operates as Celgene Cellular Therapeutics ("CCT"), a wholly owned subsidiary. To learn more about cord blood banking, please visit www.LifebankUSA.com.
In December 2005, Celgene received approval from the FDA 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. In June 2006, the FDA approved REVLIMID® in combination with dexamethasone for the treatment of multiple myeloma patients who have received at least one prior therapy. EMEA approval for the REVLIMID® multiple myeloma indication (in combination with dexamethasone) was received in June, 2007.
Additional history milestone points:
2008 – Celgene acquires Pharmion, bringing VIDAZA to its portfolio
2008 – EMEA grants approval of Thalidomide Pharmion
2008 – Celgene Cellular Therapeutics announces the first clinical transplant of placenta-derived stem cells
2008 – EMEA grants VIDAZA approval in the EU
2010 – Celgene acquires Gloucester Pharmaceuticals bringing ISTODAX into its portfolio of hematologic cancer therapies
2010 – REVLIMID granted approval for multiple myeloma and deletion-5q MDS in Japan
Celgene is now an integrated biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing innovative therapies to treat cancer and inflammation through gene and protein regulation.
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