BioCentury
ARTICLE | Strategy

Stepwise into cancer

June 20, 2005 7:00 AM UTC

Cephalon Inc. has had a toehold in the cancer space since its 2000 acquisition of Anesta Corp. gave it Actiq oral transmucosal fentanyl, which is marketed for breakthrough cancer pain. The company also has two cancer compounds in the clinic. But with two recent deals, the company has firmly laid the foundation stones of what it believes will be a substantial presence in the onco-logy market. The first foray focuses on blood-related cancers, but the company has ambitions to build a position in treating solid cancers.

The latest move was last week's $70 million cash acquisition of Trisenox arsenic trioxide from Cell Therapeutics Inc. (CTIC; NMerc:CTIC, Seattle, Wash.). CTIC sells Trisenox in the U.S. and some European countries to treat relapsed or refractory acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). ...