Revlimid is for multiple myeloma, among other diseases, and can lead to leukemia in about a third of all diagnosed cases. An immunomodulary drug, remission has occured with pts. who have taken this drug. In addition, the drug delays the progression of the disease and doubles the survival rate of patients who take the drug for this disease. So the high response rates ensure durable disease control.

In large part, the clinical data of Revlimid has allowed doctors to adopt to the drug rather easily, as doctors find this data incredibly compelling.

In my opinion, the large survival benefit is a great advantage with this drug, at a cost of over 6 thousand dollars a month. other biopharmaceuticals cost much more than that amount and only offer a few months of additional life.

Revlimid is a chemical cousin of thalidomide, yet is much cleaner in regards to safety and efficacy. Along with being more potent, pts. achieve quicker responses from the drug at lower doses, which are given as an oral pill.

Anemia is part of the myeloma disease, and most patients on Revlimid achieve independence from transfusions during treatment with Revlimid.

Celgene’s revenues go to thier R and D two to three times as much as other pharma companies, which has proven to be beneficial for them.