Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ: CELG) today announced it has closed its
acquisition of Gloucester Pharmaceuticals following the early
termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. Under the terms of the merger
agreement Celgene Corporation acquired Gloucester Pharmaceuticals for
$340 million in cash plus up to an additional $300 million payable upon
achievement of certain future regulatory milestones.
The transaction brings to Celgene ISTODAX® (romidepsin), an
approved therapy for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL),
providing a strategic fit and expanding the company’s presence in
critical blood cancers.
"There is a need for better treatment options for CTCL patients and this
acquisition enables Celgene to maximize the clinical and commercial
potential of ISTODAX through our existing infrastructure, to the benefit
of patients,” said Sol J. Barer, PhD, Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Celgene Corporation. "ISTODAX now joins REVLIMID®,
VIDAZA® and THALOMID® in a robust portfolio of
products for the treatment of blood cancers.”
As the Company has stated, it expects the acquisition to be neutral to
earnings in 2010, and slightly accretive in 2011.
About ISTODAX
ISTODAX® (romidepsin) is a member of a new class of cancer
drugs known as histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors. HDACs catalyze the
removal of acetyl groups from acetylated lysine residues in histones,
resulting in the modulation of gene expression. HDACs also deacetylate
non-histone proteins, such as transcription factors. HDAC inhibitors can
be divided into four main classes: cyclic tetrapeptides (I), short-chain
fatty acids (II), hydroxamic acids (III), and benzamides (IV). The
cyclic peptide structure of ISTODAX is novel among the cyclic
tetrapeptides. In vitro, ISTODAX causes the accumulation of
acetylated histones, and induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of some
cancer cell lines. For full prescribing information, visit www.ISTODAX.com.
About Celgene
Celgene Corporation, headquartered in Summit, New Jersey, is an
integrated global biopharmaceutical company engaged primarily in the
discovery, development and commercialization of novel therapies for the
treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases through gene and protein
regulation. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.celgene.com.
This release contains forward-looking statements which are subject to
known and unknown risks, delays, uncertainties and other factors not
under Celgene’s control, which may cause actual results, performance or
achievements of Celgene to be materially different from the results,
performance or other expectations expressed or implied by these
forward-looking statements. These factors include results of current or
pending research and development activities, actions by the FDA and
other regulatory authorities, and other factors described in Celgene’s
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission such as its 10-K,
10-Q and 8-K reports.