Explore the complex legal battles, pricing debates, and patent hurdles surrounding lenalidomide, the blockbuster multiple myeloma drug, and learn what they mean for patients and the industry.
Celgene: What It Is, What It Does, and What You Need to Know
When you hear Celgene, a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing treatments for cancer and immune-related diseases. Also known as Celgene Corporation, it was once one of the most influential drug makers in the world, especially for patients with blood cancers and inflammatory conditions. Though it’s now part of Bristol Myers Squibb after a $74 billion acquisition in 2019, the drugs it built are still widely used today.
Celgene didn’t just make pills—it changed how doctors think about cancer treatment. Its biggest hits include Revlimid, a powerful oral drug for multiple myeloma and certain lymphomas, and Abraxane, a chemotherapy formulation that delivers paclitaxel directly to tumors with fewer side effects. These weren’t just new drugs—they were designed to work where older treatments failed. Revlimid, for example, became a cornerstone for treating multiple myeloma, a cancer that used to have very limited options. It works by targeting the immune system and starving cancer cells, not just killing them outright.
They also pushed the envelope with Otezla, a non-biologic oral treatment for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, offering an alternative to injections and infusions. For many patients, this meant easier daily management without the fear of frequent doctor visits. Even today, Otezla remains one of the most prescribed oral treatments for these conditions.
Celgene’s legacy isn’t just in the drugs themselves, but in how they approached research. They invested heavily in understanding the biology behind diseases, not just chasing symptoms. Their work helped prove that targeting specific immune pathways could be more effective—and safer—than broad chemotherapy. This shifted the entire industry toward precision medicine.
What’s left now? The drugs. The patents. The real-world data from thousands of patients who lived longer because of them. If you’re taking Revlimid, Abraxane, or Otezla today, you’re using a Celgene innovation. And while the company name may not appear on the bottle anymore, the science behind it still guides how doctors treat cancer, autoimmune disorders, and blood diseases.
Below, you’ll find detailed comparisons and guides on these exact drugs—how they stack up against alternatives, what side effects to watch for, how they affect your daily life, and whether there are cheaper options. This isn’t just history. It’s your treatment plan.