Celgene
Celgene Corporation was a Summit, NJ-based biopharmaceutical company (founded 1986) that developed and commercialized branded oncology and immunology therapies, anchored by the multiple myeloma drug Revlimid, until its $74B acquisition by Bristol Myers Squibb in 2019.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersSummit, United States
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Celgene does
Celgene Corporation was a Summit, New Jersey-based biopharmaceutical company founded in 1986 that developed and commercialized therapies for cancer and immune-inflammatory diseases, with a concentration in hematologic malignancies. The company's core commercial franchise centered on three proprietary drugs: Revlimid (lenalidomide), Pomalyst (pomalidomide), and Thalomid (thalidomide), all used in the treatment of multiple myeloma and related blood cancers. Revlimid, launched in 2005, grew into one of the world's best-selling cancer drugs, reaching $8.1B in annual revenue by 2017 and accumulating over $21B in cumulative net earnings through 2025. Celgene also built a pipeline extension platform known as CELMoD (Celgene Modulatory Drug), with candidates like mezigdomide and iberdomide designed to defend the multiple myeloma franchise, and expanded into cell therapy through its $9B acquisition of Juno Therapeutics in 2018.
Celgene operated a traditional branded pharmaceutical revenue model, monetizing proprietary drugs through specialty distribution channels, primarily in the U.S. (where Revlimid was priced near $1,000 per pill) and select international markets. The company systematically layered New Chemical Entity (NCE) and Orphan Drug Exclusivity to extend Revlimid's franchise longevity. To diversify beyond Revlimid and prepare for its eventual loss of exclusivity, Celgene executed an aggressive M&A strategy spanning 2010-2018, including Juno Therapeutics ($9B), Receptos ($7.32B), EngMab ($600M), Quanticel ($485M), and over a dozen additional transactions, adding capabilities in CAR-T cell therapy, immunology (ozanimod), and myelofibrosis (fedratinib). Celgene's customer base was fragmented across hematology-oncology prescribers and patients with multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes, and related conditions. In 2019, Bristol Myers Squibb acquired Celgene for $74 billion in one of the largest pharmaceutical mergers in history, integrating Celgene's assets into BMS's oncology franchise and ending Celgene's standalone operating existence.
Celgene firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Celgene
- Legal name
- Celgene Corporation
- Website
- https://celgene.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- Celgene Corporation was a Summit, NJ-based biopharmaceutical company (founded 1986) that developed and commercialized branded oncology and immunology therapies, anchored by the multiple myeloma drug Revlimid, until its $74B acquisition by Bristol Myers Squibb in 2019.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Celgene industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Oncology / Hematology Pharmaceuticals
- NAICS
- Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414)
- SIC
- Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Dendritic Cell & Other APC-based Therapies (HLAAABAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Personalized Therapeutic Design (neoantigen vaccines, individualized cell/gene therapies) (HLAAANAK)
Keywords
Where Celgene is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Summit
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Celgene business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations
Revenue model
- Pharmaceutical drug sales: Celgene generated revenue through the sale of proprietary pharmaceutical drugs, primarily in the oncology and hematology therapeutic areas. Key products included Revlimid (lenalidomide), Thalomid (thalidomide), and Pomalyst (pomalidomide).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | Revlimid (lenalidomide) - approximately $1,000 per pill in the U.S. |
Celgene product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Celgene was a biopharmaceutical company that discovered, developed, and commercialized innovative therapies to treat cancer and immune-inflammatory-related diseases. Its flagship products were oral immunomodulatory drugs — Revlimid (lenalidomide), Pomalyst (pomalidomide), and Thalomid (thalidomide) — primarily for multiple myeloma and myelodysplastic syndromes. The company operated proprietary R&D platforms including the CELMoD drug development platform and cell therapy capabilities.
Product overview
Celgene Corporation was a biopharmaceutical company that developed drugs for cancer and inflammatory diseases. Its core products included Revlimid, Pomalyst, and Thalomid for multiple myeloma treatment. The company was acquired by Bristol Myers Squibb in 2019 for $74 billion. The products operated independently as branded pharmaceuticals rather than as a unified software platform with modules.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Revlimid (lenalidomide) Oral immunomodulatory cancer drug for the treatment of multiple myeloma and other hematologic malignancies. Generated $8.1 billion in annual revenue by 2017.
- Pomalyst (pomalidomide) Oral immunomodulatory drug for the treatment of multiple myeloma, part of the Revlimid/Pomalyst franchise.
- Thalomid (thalidomide) Oral immunomodulatory drug for the treatment of multiple myeloma that Celgene systematically escalated in price over time.
- Abecma (idecabtagene vicleucel) CAR-T cell therapy for multiple myeloma, developed by Celgene and brought to market following Bristol Myers Squibb's 2019 acquisition.
Quantifiable outcome
- Reduced risk of progression or death by 52% in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma patients with mezigdomide (a CELMoD class drug building on Revlimid franchise)
Companies that use Celgene
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Celgene technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Celgene partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- CelgeneminorDeuteRx (formerly Deuteria Pharmaceuticals) was acquired by Celgene in 2012. The transaction involved Deuteria Pharmaceuticals and selected oncology programs, representing one of DeuteRx's four completed M&A transactions over its history. The deal was part of DeuteRx's strategic exit from metabolic, cancer, and psychiatric disorders programs to larger pharmaceutical companies.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Celgene competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Bristol Myers Squibb: Acquired Celgene for $74B in 2019 and now owns the entire Celgene franchise including Revlimid, Pomalyst, Abecma, and the CELMoD platform. Operates the same oncology/hematology business that Celgene built and is the closest comparable peer.
- Amgen: Large biotechnology company with a significant oncology and hematology franchise including Kyprolis (carfilzomib) for multiple myeloma, directly competing with Celgene's myeloma portfolio.
- Gilead Sciences: Major oncology player with CAR-T therapies via Kite Pharma (Tecartus, Yescarta), directly comparable to Celgene's Juno-derived Abecma cell therapy franchise.
- Novartis: Global pharmaceutical company with a substantial oncology and hematology franchise, including Kymriah (the first FDA-approved CAR-T therapy), directly competing with Celgene's multiple myeloma and cell therapy assets.
- Johnson & Johnson: Major oncology competitor with Darzalex (daratumumab) for multiple myeloma and Carvykti CAR-T therapy, directly competing with Celgene's Revlimid franchise and Juno-derived cell therapy assets.
- AbbVie: Acquired Celgene competitor Pharmacyclics and markets Imbruvica (ibrutinib) and Venclexta (venetoclax) for hematologic malignancies, overlapping with Celgene's hematology franchise.
Broad incumbents
- AstraZeneca: Global biopharmaceutical company with a rapidly expanding oncology franchise (Tagrisso, Imfinzi, Calquence, Enhertu) that competes across multiple cancer indications overlapping with Celgene's oncology portfolio.
- Pfizer: Global pharmaceutical incumbent with a broad oncology portfolio including multiple myeloma therapies and biologics, providing overlapping competition with Celgene's hematology franchise.
- Roche: Global pharmaceutical leader with deep oncology and hematology franchises, including biologics and targeted therapies that overlap with Celgene's therapeutic focus areas.
- Merck & Co. Global pharmaceutical incumbent anchored by Keytruda in oncology; broad portfolio and pipeline overlap with Celgene's oncology development programs.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Celgene social profiles
Digital presenceCelgene financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Celgene leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Celgene funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Celgene M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A15 records
Investments67 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Celgene
What does Celgene do?
Celgene was a biopharmaceutical company that discovered, developed, and commercialized innovative therapies to treat cancer and immune-inflammatory-related diseases. Its flagship products were oral immunomodulatory drugs — Revlimid (lenalidomide), Pomalyst (pomalidomide), and Thalomid (thalidomide) — primarily for multiple myeloma and myelodysplastic syndromes. The company operated proprietary R&D platforms including the CELMoD drug development platform and cell therapy capabilities.
Is Celgene a public or private company?
Celgene is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.
When was Celgene founded?
Celgene was founded in 1986. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is Celgene based?
Celgene is headquartered in Summit, United States, in the North America region.
How does Celgene make money?
One revenue line is on record: pharmaceutical drug sales.
Who are Celgene's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bristol Myers Squibb, Amgen, Gilead Sciences, Novartis, Johnson & Johnson and AbbVie. Broad incumbents are AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Roche and Merck & Co..
Does Celgene have an API?
No public API is recorded for Celgene.
What industry is Celgene in?
Celgene's product category is Oncology / Hematology Pharmaceuticals. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAABAF, Dendritic Cell & Other APC-based Therapies, with a secondary code of HLAAANAK, Personalized Therapeutic Design (neoantigen vaccines, individualized cell/gene therapies). Its NAICS code is 325412 and its SIC code is 2834.