Celgene Completes $2.9 Billion Acquisition of Pharmion

(Noticiascadadía/Iberonews).- Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ: CELG) today announced it has closed its $2.9 billion acquisition of Pharmion Corporation. Pharmion shareholders will receive $25 in cash and 0.8367 Celgene shares for each share of Pharmion stock owned. Pharmion shares were delisted from Nasdaq and trading ceased at the close of business on Friday, March 7, 2008.

The transaction brings together three medically meaningful therapies, Revlimid(R), Thalomid(R) and Vidaza(R), treating patients worldwide. These products are expected to generate multiple global revenue streams for accelerated financial growth as we move into nearly 100 countries over the next five years and beyond.

"By bringing together these two outstanding companies, we are creating a global leader in hematology/oncology," said Sol J. Barer, PhD, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Celgene Corporation. "We are now able to serve these patients through three major approved therapies, with a strong portfolio of hematology and solid tumor candidates advancing through our pipeline to address future needs. In addition, we have a number of innovative programs encompassing therapies for immune/inflammatory disorders, hematological
malignancies and other cancers. We believe our combined capabilities can maximize the clinical, regulatory and commercial potential of all of these programs."

Celgene plans to announce its first quarter financial results on Thursday, May 8 at which time it will also provide updated 2008 financial guidance relative to the acquisition, as well as provide an update on the initiation of its global integration strategy. As the Company has stated, it expects the acquisition to be slightly dilutive to earnings in 2008, accretive in 2009 and materially accretive in 2010 and beyond.