The International Myeloma Foundation Says New Treatment Regimen for Older Patients Could Soon Be Approved in Europe

The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) - supporting research
and providing education, advocacy and support for myeloma patients,
families, researchers and physicians - today said the positive opinion
from the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) could clear the way for a
new treatment regimen in Europe. The decision recommends approval of
Thalidomide Pharmion(R) in combination with melphalan and prednisone
for newly diagnosed patients over 65.

"Thalidomide is the first of what are called the Novel Therapies
that - along with VELCADE(R) and REVLIMID(R) - have changed the
outlook for myeloma patients," said Susie Novis, president and
co-founder of the IMF. "Thalidomide is available in the United States,
Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere now, and we would like all
patients to have safe access to its demonstrated benefits."

The combination of melphalan and prednisone (MP) was once the
standard of care for myeloma in Europe, but recent studies have shown
the combination is greatly improved by the addition of the Novel
Therapies: This positive opinion for thalidomide MP is based on a
multi-center clinical trial showing average survival of more than 4
years, a year and a half more than MP without thalidomide. Studies
have also shown improved response adding VELCADE to MP and adding
REVLIMID to MP.

The recommendation sets the stage for the return of thalidomide to
Europe with safe distribution for an important indication.
Thalidomide, developed as THALOMID(R) from the Celgene Corporation,
was approved for patients in the United States in 2006. Although once
associated with an epidemic of birth defects when prescribed for
pregnant women, a proprietary risk management system in the United
States has seen more than 100-thousand prescriptions without a single
birth defect, demonstrating the drug can be used safely.

German hematologist Ralph Naumann, of the University Clinic in
Dresden, Germany prescribes thalidomide for his patients even though
he personally has experienced the effects of thalidomide since his own
mother took it when she was pregnant. He has stated: "Thalidomide is
not a bad drug, it´s just a drug that was badly used, and for the many
myeloma patients today who are benefiting from thalidomide, that´s a
crucial distinction."

Myeloma, also called multiple myeloma, is a cancer of the bone
marrow that affects production of red cells, white cells and stem
cells. It affects an estimated 750,000 people worldwide, and in
industrialized countries it is being diagnosed in growing in numbers
and in increasingly younger people. There is no cure, but by using
therapies in combination and in sequence doctors are moving myeloma
toward becoming a chronic disease.

The positive recommendation could lead to marketing authorization
for thalidomide-melphalan-prednisone in the EU within two to three
months.

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL MYELOMA FOUNDATION

The International Myeloma Foundation is the oldest and largest
myeloma organization, reaching more than 165,000 members in 113
countries worldwide. A 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to
improving the quality of life of myeloma patients and their families,
the IMF focuses on four key areas: research, education, support and
advocacy. To date, the IMF has conducted more than 100 educational
seminars worldwide, maintains a world-renowned hotline, and operates
Bank on a Cure(R), a unique gene bank to advance myeloma research. The
IMF can be reached at +1818-487-7455. The global Website is
www.myeloma.org with a companion Website in Spanish at
www.myelomala.org.