Gloucester Pharmaceuticals
AcquiredNew York, US · 9 known investors
Bristol Myers Squibb is a biopharmaceutical company that develops and delivers medicines across oncology, hematology, neuroscience, immunology, and cardiovascular disease areas. The company focuses on creating transformative treatments for patients in high-need therapeutic categories.
Also known as Gloucester Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Investors · 9
Company profile
researched Aug 2026Gloucester Pharmaceuticals, Inc. was a privately held biopharmaceutical company based at One Broadway, 14th Floor, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Its model was to acquire clinical-stage oncology drug candidates and advance them through regulatory approval and commercialization, with a product portfolio centered on cancer therapeutics.
The company developed therapies for hematological malignancies, including cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) and peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL). Its lead product, Istodax, was approved by the FDA in November 2009 for the treatment of CTCL in patients who had received at least one prior systemic therapy. Istodax also held FDA orphan drug designation for non-Hodgkin's T-cell lymphomas (covering CTCL and PTCL) and Fast Track status in PTCL, and had been granted orphan status by the EMEA for both CTCL and PTCL.
Gloucester was led by chief executive officer Alan Colowick, M.D., M.P.H., who led the company's sale to Celgene and subsequently served as President of EMEA at Celgene. Company records list the entity as founded in 2002, with a headcount in the 10-50 range, and as dissolved following its acquisition.
Business model
Gloucester acquired clinical-stage oncology drug candidates from external sources and took responsibility for advancing them through clinical development, regulatory approval and commercialization, generating value from approved cancer therapeutics such as Istodax.
Latest developments
Following the January 2010 close of the Celgene acquisition, Gloucester Pharmaceuticals is recorded as dissolved and appears as a subsidiary name under Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. Former CEO Alan Colowick later joined Matrix Capital Management Company and, in February 2025, was appointed to the board of directors of AltPep Corporation.
▸Full profile — market position, technology, go-to-market, geography, history
Market position
A privately held, Cambridge-based oncology company positioned in rare and difficult-to-treat blood cancers; Celgene stated the acquisition would strengthen its position in disease-altering therapies for patients with rare and debilitating blood cancers.
Technology
Oncology therapeutics for hematologic cancers, principally Istodax, indicated for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in patients who had received at least one prior systemic therapy and studied in peripheral T-cell lymphoma.
Go-to-market
Patients with cancer and hematological malignancies, in particular cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and peripheral T-cell lymphoma, and the oncologists and hematologists treating them.
Geography
Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, with regulatory activity in the United States (FDA) and Europe (EMEA orphan designations).
History
Records date the company's founding to 2002 in Massachusetts. It advanced Istodax to FDA approval for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in November 2009. In December 2009 Celgene Corporation agreed to acquire the company for $340 million in cash plus up to $300 million in regulatory milestone payments, and the transaction closed on January 15, 2010 after early termination of the Hart-Scott-Rodino waiting period. Gloucester Pharmaceuticals is subsequently listed among the subsidiaries and alternate names associated with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, which owns Celgene, and company databases record the entity as dissolved.
Compiled by commissioned research from 7 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Key figures
latest reportedCompany-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed — not independently audited.
Competitors · 1
by search overlap
Companies competing with Gloucester Pharmaceuticals for the same Google search keywords, organic and paid, via search-intersection analysis.
Timeline · 3
launches, deals, and filingsCelgene closed the acquisition of Gloucester Pharmaceuticals following early termination of the Hart-Scott-Rodino waiting period, for $340 million in cash plus up to an additional $300 million payable on achievement of certain future regulatory milestones.
$340M source ↗
Celgene Corporation announced an agreement to acquire privately held Gloucester Pharmaceuticals for $340 million in cash plus up to $300 million in milestone payments, citing Gloucester's therapies for cutaneous and peripheral T-cell lymphoma and other hematological malignancies.
$340M source ↗
Istodax was approved by the FDA for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in patients who have received at least one prior systemic therapy. It also held FDA orphan drug designation for non-Hodgkin's T-cell lymphomas and Fast Track status in PTCL, plus EMEA orphan status for CTCL and PTCL.
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
In the news
▸Research sources · 7
primary sources listed
- Gloucester Pharmaceuticalsbms.com · web
7 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Gloucester Pharmaceuticals do?
- Cambridge, Massachusetts oncology drug developer behind Istodax, acquired by Celgene in January 2010.
- Who are Gloucester Pharmaceuticals's investors?
- Gloucester Pharmaceuticals's investors include Kleiner Perkins, New Enterprise Associates (NEA), Nextech Invest, Prospect Venture Partners, Rho Capital Partners, Rho Ventures, RiverVest Venture Partners, The Column Group and 1 more.
- Where is Gloucester Pharmaceuticals headquartered?
- Gloucester Pharmaceuticals is headquartered in New York, US.