In the following years Celgene conducted further clinical trials showing that Thalidomide is also effective in treating multiple myeloma (MM), a cancer of the plasma cells. The company applied for an additional FDA approval, which was granted in 2006. Since then Celgene has been allowed to market “Thalomid” and their new product “Revlimid” (also containing Thalidomide) for the treatment of MM in the US.

Celgene also has permission to sell these preparations in other countries, including Australia, Canada and the European Union. The same strict safety rules apply.

“Thalomid” and especially “Revlimid” have become Celgene’s flagship drugs. Thanks to strong sales Celgene grew from a modest pharmaceutical company to an industry giant with estimated revenue of US$8 billion in 2015.

In 2014 “Revlimid” accounted for more than two-thirds of the company’s total revenue.