Filed by Bowne Pure Compliance
Filed by Celgene Corporation
Pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933
Subject Company: Pharmion Corporation
Commission File No.: 000-50447
The following transcript relates to an analyst conference call held on November 19, 2007 in
connection with the announcement by Celgene Corporation (Celgene) of its proposed acquisition of
Pharmion Corporation (Pharmion).
Analyst Conference Call Transcript
Operator
Good morning. My name is Katie and I will be your conference operator today. At this time, I
would like to welcome everyone to the Celgene Corporation conference call and webcast. At this
time, all lines are in a listen-only mode. After the speakers remarks, there will be
question-and-answer session.
I would now like to turn the call over to Mr. David Gryska, Chief Financial Officer. Please go
ahead, sir.
David Gryska Celgene Corporation SVP, CFO
Good morning, everyone. Im David Gryska, Celgenes Chief Financial Officer. Welcome and thank
you for joining us this morning. Were very pleased to announce that Celgene and Pharmion have
signed an agreement under which Celgene will acquire Pharmion. The press release reporting this
important development was issued yesterday and is now available on our corporate website.
Joining me on todays conference call from Celgene are Sol Barer, Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer; Bob Hugin, President and Chief Operating Officer; and Pat Mahaffy, Pharmions Chief
Executive Officer.
Sol will begin the call with comments on the strategic importance and exciting opportunities that
this global combination of companies will provide. Pat will then provide Pharmions perspective on
the transaction. I will follow with an overview of the structure and financial terms of the
proposed transaction. We will keep our comments brief in order to allow as much time as possible
for your questions.
Before we begin, we want to remind you that certain statements made during this conference call may
be forward-looking or made pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Certain forward-looking statements which involve known and unknown risks,
delays, uncertainties, and other factors not under our control may cause actual results,
performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance, or other
expectations stated or implied by these forward-looking statements.
Statements in this conference call relating to the consummation of the contemplated transaction are
subject to the possibility that one or more of the closing conditions of the merger might not be
satisfied, including the possibility that regulatory approvals may not be obtained.
Statements related to the expected benefits of the contemplated acquisition are subject to the
risks that expected synergies will not be achieved; and that the operations, products, and
employees of Celgene or Pharmion will not be integrated successfully; that the market for
Pharmions products may not develop as anticipated; and that Pharmions products may not be
approved by regulatory authorities; as well as the general risks associated with the respective
businesses of Celgene and Pharmion as described in the periodic reports and other documents filed
by each of us with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
This announcement is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell Celgene
shares. The merger is subject of approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of Pharmion
common stock. Pharmion will file with the SEC a proxy statement relating to the stockholders
meeting at which a vote with respect to the merger will be taken.
Celgene will file a registration statement covering the shares of the Celgene common stock to be
received by stockholders of Pharmion in the merger. An offer of Celgene common stock will be made
by means of the prospectus which is part of the registration statement.
The proxy statement prospectus will contain important information. Stockholders are urged to read
this information carefully before making any decisions about the proposed merger. Now for Sols
comments on the acquisition.
Sol Barer Celgene Corporation Chairman, CEO
Thank you, Dave. I too would like to thank everyone for joining us this morning. We are
extremely pleased to announce the signing of our agreement to acquire Pharmion.
This strategic acquisition is an ideal fit that will expand our roles as a leader in hematology and
oncology. We are excited about the opportunity to leverage the talent and resources from both
organizations to address unmet medical needs worldwide.
Pharmion is an impressive organization with an excellent track record in global drug development.
Pharmion has successfully built a significant franchise in blood cancers, with four products on the
market and several in development focused on hematological and solid tumor cancers.
This acquisition is a major step towards fulfilling Celgenes strategy to create a market-leading
global biopharmaceutical company. We are fully committed to effectively and efficiently integrating
Pharmion into our global infrastructure to leverage our expanded global clinical, regulatory, and
commercial opportunities.
Celgene is continually working to expand our product portfolio through internal development as well
as strategic external opportunities. Pharmions significant product portfolio holds great potential
in addressing a broader range of patients with unmet medical needs worldwide.
Specifically, Vidaza, Pharmions lead product, is approved in the US for myelodysplastic syndromes
and has demonstrated an unprecedented overall survival benefit for higher-risk MDS patients. A
Phase III study revealed Vidaza extended overall survival by 74% as compared to conventional care
regimens. Patients receiving Vidaza had a two-year survival rate of 50.8% versus 26.2% for those in
the comparator arm. These results translated into a median survival benefit of 9.4 months 24.4
months versus 15 months.
Pharmion expects to file a Marketing Authorization Application in Europe for MDS before the end of
the year. The survival data will also be submitted to the FDA for inclusion in the US label in
2008.
In addition to Vidaza, the acquisition also gives us the European rights to thalidomide, bringing
together under Celgene three meaningful therapies Revlimid, Vidaza, and Thalomid in different
indications with multiple global revenue streams.
By combining our new product portfolio with our operational and financial capabilities, we are
positioned to accelerate delivery of more next-generation therapy. In addition, we will evaluate
the global clinical potential of combination therapies.
Before I turn the call back over to Pat Mahaffy, I would like to thank the Pharmion employees who
have contributed so much to the development of the company and to bringing disease-altering
products to cancer patients in the US, Europe, and many international markets.
We believe that Celgene is now well positioned to leverage the capabilities of both organizations
together as we build a major global biopharmaceutical company. Now I would like to turn the call
over to Pat, who has led Pharmion to become the impressive oncology company it is today.
Pat Mahaffy Pharmion Corporation President, CEO
Thanks a lot, Sol. I appreciate the opportunity to join you today to talk about the
acquisition from Pharmions perspective. Im clearly very excited about this transaction, as I
believe the combination of Pharmion and Celgene will create a global leader in oncology and
hematology that will have the chance to better serve cancer patients and physicians worldwide.
In particular, I would like to take a moment to thank all of Pharmions employees for the hard work
and dedication to extending those patients lives and improving their quality of life.
Our success has been built on identifying and developing therapies that give physicians greater
options as they work to treat cancer. Now, together with Celgene, we have an opportunity to extend
the reach of our key therapies, particularly Vidaza; leverage the potential of thalidomide
globally; and be a part of a new type of biopharmaceutical company.
We are very impressed with Celgenes innovative drug discovery and development programs, but even
more by its commitment to improve the lives of patients worldwide through patient safety access and
support programs.
From our shareholders perspective, we believe this transaction offers them tremendous value, both
through an immediate cash payment upon the deals close and through ongoing participation in the
long-term growth potential of Celgene.
We look forward to a number of opportunities that will leverage the strength of each organization,
advancing the clinical, regulatory, and commercial prospects of our company. Now let me turn the
call back to Dave who will review the transactions details.
David Gryska Celgene Corporation SVP, CFO
Thank you, Pat. Now I would like to walk you through the transaction terms. Celgene intends to
acquire 100% of the equity of Pharmion at $72 per share through a combination of cash and stock for
a total consideration of $2.9 billion. We are targeting to close the transaction by the end of the
second quarter of 2008.
The cash portion of the transaction is being funded by Celgenes cash on hand. Under the terms of
the merger agreement, each share of Pharmion common stock will be exchanged for $25 in cash and
Celgenes common stock, to be determined by an exchange ratio. The exchange ratio for the stock
portion of the transaction will be calculated by the volume-weighted average price per share of
Celgene common stock for the 15 consecutive trading days on the third day immediately prior to the
closing date. The details of the transaction are further outlined in todays press release.
Pharmions shareholders will own approximately 6% of Celgene common stock upon completion of the
transaction. Celgene will assume Pharmions net cash, estimated to be approximately $250 million at
closing, which when subtracted from the offer value reflects the net transaction value of
approximately $2.6 billion. The transaction is subject to the usual regulatory clearances.
As Celgene has cash in excess of $2.5 billion and substantial operating cash flow, we have more
than sufficient cash on hand to complete this transaction.
The transaction is expected to be slightly dilutive to Celgenes earnings in 2008, accretive in
2009, and materially accretive in 2010 and beyond. The transaction is expected to be accretive to
revenue and earnings growth over the next five years.
Additionally, the earnings outcome excludes the impact of amortization created by the transaction.
We will provide more detailed information related to the impact of our future financial results
once the transaction is closed.
As we have done historically, we will continue to drive efficiencies, increase cash flow, and
pursue new revenue opportunities both internally and externally. Celgene will continue to have a
strong balance sheet and the financial flexibility to continue to reward shareholders through
global investment in growth and R&D that we believe best serves our future.
As Sol stated earlier, we are very excited about the opportunity to acquire Pharmion and to
leverage the talent and resources of both companies. We are expanding our portfolio of medically
meaningful therapies and offering patients more options. This will enable healthcare providers to
deliver better healthcare for better outcomes worldwide.
Again, thank you for your participation on such short notice. This concludes the formal part of the
call. We will now begin the question-and-answer session. Operator, we are ready for the first
question.
QUESTION AND ANSWER
Operator
(OPERATOR INSTRUCTIONS) Ian Somaiya with Thomas Weisel Partners.
Ian Somaiya Thomas Weisel Partners Analyst
Thanks for taking my question and congratulations on this deal. A couple of questions for you.
Just first on reasons behind the acquisition. On Thalomid, can we just discuss for a bit what
changes you see in terms of having full control of the European marketing for that drug, and what
some of the bottom-line impact could be related to your launch of Revlimid there?
Sol Barer Celgene Corporation Chairman, CEO
Hi, Ian; its Sol speaking. Let me take the first question, the overall rationale for the
merger, for the acquisition. I think this is very important for Celgene as it represents a major
step forward in our evolution as a Company that is a powerful force around the world in hematology
and oncology. I think if you go through the checklist of commercial, clinical, scientific, I think
all of those are very positive.
From a financial perspective, it is positive as well. You are really leveraging our operational and
financial capabilities around the world. We see ourselves as being minimally as slightly
dilutive in 2008, accretive in 2009, and materially accretive in 2010.
In addition, it brings us some important products led by Vidaza and Thalomid. This is an important
product for us. We introduced it back into the world, really. We have had a partnership with
Pharmion over all for a number of years for this in Europe.
We feel very strongly, (inaudible) Pharmion does, in terms of the safe distribution of this drug,
making sure that patients have access to it, but have so under an appropriate system. We have done
that in the United States. We obviously want to do that in Europe and around the world. Okay?
Operator
Geoff Meacham from JPMorgan.
Matt Roden JPMorgan Analyst
This is Matt Roden in for Jeff today. Thanks for taking the question and congrats on an
outstanding deal here. First question is, what are your assumption for Dacogens ER 2-T trial? What
does that do to your scenarios for Vidaza growth, specifically in terms of overall market share and
market growth as a category?
Sol Barer Celgene Corporation Chairman, CEO
Yes, I dont think it is appropriate for us to comment on another partys clinical trial. We
have done extensive due diligence about the potential for Vidaza both in the United States with
label expansion and in the potential assuming approval in Europe for the application that Pharmion
will submit by the end of the year.
We think the survival data that was presented in August really is a transformational event. It
really differentiates the Vidaza product. Dacogen will have a high bar to attempt to meet, if
possible.
We think Vidaza will be very differentially positioned in Europe over time and in the United
States. But we are not our model and everything else is based on generally the consensus
expectations that the drugs will be competitive over time, though we think Vidaza will be very well
positioned in the long run.
Operator
Rachel McMinn with Cowen & Company.
Rachel McMinn Cowen & Company Analyst
Yes, I was wondering if you could I guess, two things. One, comment on Thalomid pricing
outside the US and how we should think about that relative to US pricing upon approval over there.
Then also if you could walk through the opportunity for Vidaza, both, I guess, US compared to
ex-US; and what your impressions are of the relative market sizes.
David Gryska Celgene Corporation SVP, CFO
Just related to pricing, etc., obviously until the transaction is cleared through all the
processes it needs to go through, Pharmion will continue to pursue its agenda and its business.
That is something that Pharmion will be going forward too.
We have made no assumptions other than what Pharmion has publicly said about its plans related to
Thal. So that will be something that will be revisited over a period of time. Sol, do you want to
answer the market size?
Sol Barer Celgene Corporation Chairman, CEO
Yes, I will go in terms of the market size, as you know, Rachel, MDS is a heterogeneous
disease, and there are a number of sources of numbers for prevalence and so on. We think that many
people are quoting the market in the US overall for MDS patients is 50,000, 75,000-plus; and maybe
75,000 to 85,000-plus in Europe.
Of that, Vidaza is essentially used in high-risk patients. That is where its really stunning
survival data was shown. So I have seen a 40% of those numbers that I just quoted in the high-risk.
So. And that is just in the US and Europe.
So we think that there is a real substantial opportunity for Celgene to capitalize on the results
with Vidaza. We think that the results are unprecedented and offer something very important to
patients.
Operator
Jim Reddoch with FBR.
Jim Reddoch FBR Analyst
Good morning. Thanks. My understanding of the closing timetable is that it is somewhat
dependent on the regulators. It sounds like you are anticipating two cycles with the antitrust
regulators. Is that two cycles in the US? What in particular do you think they are looking at?
Then with respect to Europe, it sounds like it is early days; and the antitrust regulators over
there might not really be concerned about the competitive threats of Revlimid and thalidomide now.
But dont the regulators plot out what the market landscape would look like five years from now,
say? Why do you think that is not going to be a concern? Thanks.
Bob Hugin Celgene Corporation President, COO
Thanks, Jim. Both companies have done extensive due diligence and work on the antitrust front
to make sure that, as we advance the transaction to this stage and announce it, that we are both
quite comfortable that the issues are very manageable.
When you look at specifically Vidaza and Revlimid in MDS, clearly very different markets, the
high-risk versus the 5q. We think that is a very differentiable market segments, and I think people
will understand that relatively quickly.
We have done very significant diligence in terms of what needs to be done both in the United States
and in Europe on a country by country basis. We are quite comfortable that the strategy that we
have for the regulatory filings is very appropriate, will be understood.
The targeting is the timing that Dave mentioned by the end of the second quarter does reflect
that we may have some second requests from the FTC to go through it and really fully apprise them
of the different market segments and the understanding of why things are not competitive.
They certainly do look forward. But when we look at the products, we really see them complementary,
used in combination therapies, and really expanding access to patients, and not creating any kind
of competition or situation where patients wouldnt have access at the most reasonable value for
all the products we are talking about.
So the bottom line is extensive work has been done. We still have a lot of work to do to ensure
that we overcome any of the challenges that we have got to deal with. But we are very confident in
the end we are going to be successful and be able to bring the companies together and really make a
difference in the markets that were looking to address.
Operator
Geoffrey Porges with Bernstein.
Geoffrey Porges Alliance Bernstein Analyst
Thanks for taking the question, just a follow-up on the antitrust issue. Could you give us a
little more of a sense of what the other closing conditions might be? And specifically whether
European antitrust approval for the combination with Thalomid and retaining it within the combined
Company is a condition.
Then why are you so confident specifically, Bob, about Europe, where I think a lot of people
perceive that the only threat Revlimid really faced was from Thalomid.
Then if I could just ask you to go through a little bit more about the accretion/dilution. Because
it seems to me that with the cash plus the new equity, you are giving up sort of potentially 9% to
10% of your earnings. With consensus for 2009 at about [two twenty four] looks to me as though you
have got to be generating about $100 million in earnings from this to make that accretive in that
year. So could you talk us through a little bit more about how you get to that number given where
Pharmion is today? Thanks.
Bob Hugin Celgene Corporation President, COO
Definitely a few questions there, Geoff. We will try and get them; and if we dont, follow up.
We want to make sure that youre comfortable with the issue here because we have spent a lot of
time doing the work here.
When you look at myeloma, we think there is clearly and certainly in Europe, youre talking
about front line, second line, and beyond; and the products are very differentiated. There is a lot
of competition in the marketplace. When you look at stem cell transplant; Velcade; a number of
other therapies, melphalan, prednisone. So we think it is a very competitive marketplace.
We dont see, based on the products and our lawyers advised us that the situation is a
competitive market, differentiated market, and one that we think that, on a country by country
basis, we will be in good shape to get the kind of regulatory approvals that will make this deal go
forward.
The deal on the work that we have done really is all of the products will become part of the
Celgene strategy of dealing and helping patients in these diseases that we are focused on.
We think already when you look at the penetration in terms of revenue that Pharmion has achieved on
a named-patient basis already, it is a good basis and indicative of the reaction that the
marketplace will have when the drug is formally approved and gets reimbursement, not just on a
named-patient basis, across the countries in the EU.
So I think that when you look at what the consensus is out there for Pharmion, whether its in
2009, 10, or whatever, we think the opportunity to meet or exceed those over time is very
achievable.
Thal is clearly a part of that, but the more meaningful part over time is going to Vidaza, with the
kind of survival data which we think is very differentiable, certainly in the high-risk part of
MDS, and gives us great opportunity to really generate the kind of revenue and earnings growth we
think the two companies together should and have the capability of achieving.
Operator
Howard Liang with Leerink Swann.
Howard Liang Leerink Swann Analyst
Thanks very much. Could you talk about your assumption for US revenue for Vidaza beyond 2011
in your evaluation of the deal?
Bob Hugin Celgene Corporation President, COO
When we look at it, clearly there is exclusivity that expires in 2011. In our model, it is
prudent for us to be conservative about what expectations are made.
We clearly look at some of the opportunities with some of the things in the Vidaza pipeline
sorry, the Pharmion pipeline, including oral Vidaza. So I think from our own internal models, we
have tried to be conservative. Realistic in terms of what happens after exclusivity; what are the
opportunities for oral Vidaza. But we have had to be conservative.
As we work together, once we clear regulatory challenges in terms of getting the integration
rolling, we will do everything we can to try and work very effectively together to look at types of
exclusivity extensions and for the acceleration of the oral Vidaza.
But it is not a fundamental value driver in our analysis that led us to the transaction today. It
really is an upside of in fact we can achieve those kinds of accelerations or both with oral and
extensions on the IB.
Operator
Matt Osborne with Lazard.
Matt Osborne Lazard Analyst
Thanks for taking the question. Just if you can talk about the synergies with the respective
geographic sales forces. In the US, it looks like around 120 reps that you had, Celgene, and about
100 reps ex-US. That compares to Pharmions sales force in the US, which numbered at around 140 and
was growing ex-US, but at around 55 now.
Can you talk about where you plan on taking that, or where you see some synergies or perhaps
overlap in those geographic areas? Thank you.
Bob Hugin Celgene Corporation President, COO
Yes, thanks, Matt. I dont think we can get into the specific numbers, because integration
planning will really begin once we get the regulatory clearances. But it is absolutely appropriate
to say that we think the commercial organizations at Pharmion have done an outstanding job. We
think they are value organizations. They are ones that we want to leverage and to continue to go
forward.
We think as we bring other products into the Celgene portfolio when you look at Vidaza, we think
even though they are not competitive, Revlimid and Vidaza, it does strengthen the whole hematology
MDS franchise for us.
So having that kind of additional firepower in the United States makes a lot of sense to really
fully capitalize on the value of the products.
In Europe, our understanding is that Pharmion has still a lot of development to do in broadening
the organization to be able to take advantage of the opportunities, assuming Thal approval in
Europe and Vidaza approval in Europe. So there should be extensive cost avoidance, though we intend
to develop the pipeline products of Amrubicin and HDAC inhibitors, etc.
So there is certainly opportunities when you bring two public companies together for some natural
overlaps and synergies that will be achieved. But for the most part the commercial organization,
the clinical organization we are looking to leverage. The cost avoidance should be a very
attractive opportunity to make the financial profile and the financial performance over the next
three or four years even further energize.
Operator
Sapna Srivastava with Morgan Stanley.
Sapna Srivastava Morgan Stanley Analyst
Thanks for taking my questions. A couple questions. One, why did you stick to only 30% cash,
given your cash balance?
Secondly, could you speak a little bit about your challenges now, entering an injectable market?
Third, not to beat like the dead horse on the antitrust issue, but where do you expect the second
review? Is that going to be the US or the European regulators?
David Gryska Celgene Corporation SVP, CFO
Its Dave. We looked at a lot of alternatives how we could best optimize this. We thought that
the 35% cash and 65% stock was the best outcome on that. That is going to roughly cost us $1
billion.
When you kind of peel that back a little further, upon acquisition, what the net cash outlay will
be, will be even less because we do own a portion of Pharmion already, less than about
approximately 5%. And there is cash on their balance sheet.
So we think overall, looking at strategically what we want to do with the company and move forward,
and the growth objectives that we have and we looked at a lot of these the 35/65 ratio made
sense. Bob, do you want to handle the other questions?
Bob Hugin Celgene Corporation President, COO
I think, again, not to beat the dead horse, as you said, a lot of work has gone into the
review of how we have gotten to where we are. We wouldnt be here if we didnt feel quite confident
that the advisers and we think we have world-class advisers on both companies to really make
the assessment that it is very manageable; and we will get through it successfully; and be able to
take advantage of all the products in the Pharmion portfolio as part of Celgene.
It was a country by country analysis. United States very specific as to what needed to be dealt
with. We have some work to do, but it is not something we think is going to be an overwhelming
challenge, and we feel very good about what the outcome is going to be.
Sol Barer Celgene Corporation Chairman, CEO
When we look at this, as Bob said, in general, we tend to look at all these things as you all
know from a conservative perspective. We analyzed it pretty carefully. We look at our projections
in terms of revenue. We look at the projections in terms of cost. It is still early stage, but we
look at it fairly conservatively.
So too in terms of the US, Europe, in terms of antitrust. We assume these things will go through
reviews where and as appropriate. So that we have considered it very carefully; and certainly
Pharmion has considered it carefully. All our advisers have considered it carefully. And we
obviously are going ahead with the transaction.
Operator
Tom McGahren with Merrill Lynch.
Tom McGahren Merrill Lynch Analyst
Good morning, everyone. Maybe you can talk a little bit about the gross margin consideration
for the combined entity.
Secondly, what you see as the opportunity Amrubicin in small-cell lung cancer.
Sol Barer Celgene Corporation Chairman, CEO
Let me answer the second one first, in terms of Amrubicin. It is an interesting compound. It
is a third-generation anthracycline, so it is clearly not a new mechanism of action. But
nevertheless, it clearly appears to have activity I think there will be data coming at ASH in
terms of this in a variety of evaluations.
The good news is that it appears to be active in small-cell lung cancer. In addition, it is a major
unmet medical need. It also appears not to have the significant cardiotoxicity that is associated
generally with anthracyclines; but that has yet to be proven.
Pharmion has been very successful in taking it on to the next stage in a Special Protocol
Assessment trial for small-cell lung cancer. So it is an interesting potential upside for solid
tumors for Celgene. We are very interested in it, and it may provide some meaningful potential for
patients.
Bob Hugin Celgene Corporation President, COO
Tom, just to add to that, we are very encouraged as Sol points out that there is potential
upside here. But you should know that in the models we look at the value. It is early stage, even
though it is Phase III. It really is not any kind of material impact into the value proposition
here. It really would be upside if something good comes out of that.
David Gryska Celgene Corporation SVP, CFO
Then, Tom, on the gross margin question, as you know we licensed Thalomid to Pharmion for
Europe, and they pay us a royalty. So when you look at those statements on a stand-alone basis,
that royalty is in the cost of goods sold. So, on the combination that royalty will no longer
exist. So one could see the same kind of gross margins that we see today on Thal because we would
be making it, and that royalty would go away.
On the Vidaza product, the royalties are very good. There is pardon me, the margins are very
good. There is a royalty that is paid on that, but it is not substantial. And it is very, very
compelling economically for us down the road.
Operator
Yaron Werber with Citigroup.
Yaron Werber Citigroup Analyst
Good morning, I have a couple of questions and congrats on the good deal, and congrats on
really keeping it close to your chest. We certainly didnt see this coming.
Thalomid, can you just give us a little bit of a sense on whats the timing on launching Thalomid
in Europe? If potentially would get approval from the EMEA by April, does Pharmion at that point
decide to launch it and start the negotiation on pricing with each country? Or do you wait until
the acquisition is closed?
Then just a second question. Give us a little bit of sense, again to the extent that you can,
integration-wise, are you planning on fielding one sales force that is combined globally? Or are
you going to split the sales forces into myeloma, kind of disease specific, myeloma and MDS?
Just remind us whats the timing on the Phase III [non-fize 2 minus] for Revlimid?
Sol Barer Celgene Corporation Chairman, CEO
Okay, let me just start out by making the statement that clearly until the transaction closes,
that we are two independent companies. We do have some business relationships that stretch back
many, many years that we have been fortunate enough to be part of. But we remain two separate
companies.
So that in terms of any submissions, applications, that will be Pharmion. Let me ask Pat, if you
dont mind, addressing Yarons question. Then we will come back and address the rest of his
questions.
Pat Mahaffy Pharmion Corporation President, CEO
Yes, Yaron, we are pleased with where we are with the EMEA right now. We would anticipate a
recommendation; in fact, we anticipate a positive recommendation from the EMEA within the next few
months.
That then would go to the EU. The EU would normally approve an EMEA CHMP recommendation within two
months. I think given that it is thalidomide, it is always safe to think that it may make take a
little bit longer. Three months, say.
Then that would have us in a position to launch the drug in the time frame you describe. Kind of a
March, April, May time frame would be the range, I think, would make sense.
Obviously, we will remain independent until we are no longer independent, and act as an independent
company, and I think that Sol pointed out appropriately so. But they are a partner on thalidomide
already, so it would be normal for us to have some interaction with them on a going-forward basis.
Bob Hugin Celgene Corporation President, COO
Thanks. Then Yaron, on the commercial strategies, obviously until we clear all the reviews
integration efforts are not going to begin. We will have our own internal planning. But let me give
you a sense of the philosophy, the way we look at things.
In the specialty area of hematology/oncology, it is, what we believe, the sales force and the
medical education, all of the whole operations-related interface with the physicians and patients
etc. is a value-added process. It is generally people on both companies that are focused on
excellence and knowledge of the data and of the marketplace and the disease states etc.
So we do believe it should be a unified organization, regardless of Pharmion or MDS or myeloma.
That is our strategy, that we should have a unified organization and one that is very well
coordinated.
On the other hand, there needs to be great expertise on both the disease states and the products
that apply. So when we look at the kind of organizations, over time it would not be surprising to
see organizations that have a focus on different disease states, or multiple disease states,
depending on the client, the customer, in terms of the physician, of who covers what diseases etc.
But we do believe in specialization, expertise, and education, and data-driven sales efforts, and
education promotion. So I think you will see a unified organization over time, like we have today,
but one that has specialization to leverage the expertise in both the marketplace and our own
organization.
Operator
May-Kin Ho with Goldman Sachs.
May-Kin Ho Goldman Sachs Analyst
Hello. Most of my questions have been asked. But I heard you talk about country by country a
number of times. So would it be possible that on a certain scenario you would need to divest one of
the products in certain countries, for example in Europe, some European countries?
Bob Hugin Celgene Corporation President, COO
There is always a possibility of anything happening country by country. We dont believe in
any of the major markets that will be the case. If something were to happen in a minor market, we
would look at that. But our expectation and our plans are based on having the products in the
entire Company throughout all of the markets that we intend to address. It is a possibility; it is
not one that we think is a realistic outcome.
Operator
Charles Duncan with JMP Securities.
Charles Duncan JMP Securities Analyst
Let me add my congratulations on a very strategic deal. I had a question with regard to terms,
Dave. I am wondering if you could address whether or not there is a breakup fee that could be paid;
and then also review the collar provisions of the deal.
David Gryska Celgene Corporation SVP, CFO
Okay, so first of all, I will answer the collar. There is a 13% up-and-down collar which is
typical and kind of middle-of-the-road in transactions like this.
The breakup fee, it is symmetrical, and it is I would consider it to be market. We are not going
to talk about the actual dollar amount, but it is symmetrical and within the market reasonableness.
Charles Duncan JMP Securities Analyst
Okay. In terms of market, would you consider $25-ish million or you dont want to give any
color on that?
Sol Barer Celgene Corporation Chairman, CEO
It is overall its 2.5% range. It is right in the middle.
Bob Hugin Celgene Corporation President, COO
Yes, 2% to 4% I think is often considered standard; 2% to 3%. 2.5% would be right down the
middle of the fairway in terms of an average, but symmetrical.
David Gryska Celgene Corporation SVP, CFO
Right. So after this question, operator, after the next question that will be it for
questioning. So we will take one more question.
Operator
Michael King with Rodman & Renshaw.
Michael King Rodman & Renshaw Analyst
Thanks for taking my question and let me add to the congratulations. Can you tell us how the
deal will be accounted for?
Can you tell us when we might see I assume you will file an S-4. Can we get some timing on that,
please?
David Gryska Celgene Corporation SVP, CFO
You need to clarify a little bit for us, Mike, what you mean. How it will be accounted ?
Michael King Rodman & Renshaw Analyst
Is it a purchase? Is it merger?
David Gryska Celgene Corporation SVP, CFO
Yes, it is a purchase; and we expect that the transaction will were targeting the
transaction to close at the end of the second quarter. At that point in time then, we can put
together the combined companies and go through the normal, typical purchase accounting adjustments
and so forth and combine the companies. So it is fairly straightforward and standard in terms of
how that would occur.
Bob Hugin Celgene Corporation President, COO
It is our expectation that Pharmion will issue a preliminary proxy in about a month that then
will be reviewed by the SEC. Assuming whether it is how quick the review is by the SEC, that we
would expect a shareholder vote in the February middle-of-the-range time frame. February, possibly
as late as March.
Sol Barer Celgene Corporation Chairman, CEO
So I want to thank everybody for joining this conference call. This is obviously a very
exciting day for Celgene. It represents a major strategic, operational, financial, commercial step
forward for the Corporation.
I want to particularly thank the men and women of Pharmion for all that they have done, are doing,
and will continue to do in terms of advancing therapies successfully for patients with major unmet
medical needs.
We look forward to talking with each of you and seeing many of at ASH. So thank you once again and
good morning.
Operator
Thank you. That does conclude our conference call today. We appreciate your participation. You
may now disconnect.
Forward-Looking Statements
This material contains certain forward-looking statements which are based on current expectations
and involve a number of known and unknown risks, delays, uncertainties and other factors not under
Celgenes or Pharmions control, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of
Celgene or Pharmion to be materially different from the results, performance or other expectations
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 those
factors detailed in Celgenes or Pharmions filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission
such as Form 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K reports. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on
which they are made, and neither Celgene nor Pharmion undertake any obligation to update publicly
or revise any forward-looking statements.
Additional Information
This material shall not constitute an offer of any securities for sale. The acquisition will be
submitted to Pharmions stockholders for their consideration. In connection with the acquisition,
Celgene and Pharmion intend to file relevant materials with the SEC, including the registration
statement, the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents concerning the merger.
Investors and stockholders of Celgene and Pharmion are urged to read the registration statement,
proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents filed with the SEC when they become
available, as well as any amendments or supplements to the documents because they will contain
important information about Celgene, Pharmion and the merger. Stockholders of Celgene and Pharmion
can obtain more information about the proposed transaction by reviewing the Form 8-K filed by
Celgene and Pharmion in connection with the announcement of the entry into the merger agreement,
and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC when they become available. The proxy
statement/prospectus, the registration statement and any other relevant materials (when they become
available), and any other documents filed by Celgene and Pharmion with the SEC, may be obtained
free of charge at the SECs web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and stockholders may
obtain free copies of the documents filed with the SEC by directing a written request to: Celgene
Corporation, 86 Morris Ave., Summit, New Jersey 07901, Attention: Investor Relations, or Pharmion
Corporation, 2525 28th Street, Suite 200, Boulder, Colorado 80301, Attention: Investor Relations.
Investors and stockholders are urged to read the proxy statement/prospectus, the registration
statement and the other relevant materials when they become available before making any voting or
investment decision with respect to the merger.