Readers of this space know that, for a plethora of reasons, companies in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors are not my preferred stocks, but there are exceptions. And with the above in mind, Celgene is worth a review.

Celgene (NASDAQ: CELG) develops and markets drugs to treat cancer, immunological disorders and other diseases. The company's research concentrates on small molecule compounds that inhibit tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFa) production or aberrant estrogen production, or that may regulate kinases and ligases (enzymes).

Analysts really like the revenue growth rate for Revlimid, which received U.S. FDA approval in 2005, and treats a malignant blood disease called MDS. In 2006, Revlimid also received FDA approval to treat myeloma. Total Revlimid revenue should exceed $1.7-$1.8 billion in 2008. Further, mainstay Thalomid, which treats bone marrow cancer, rounds-out an impressive one-two signature drug duo. Also, the near-term re-acquisition of European rights for Thalomid will expand Celgene's geographic footprint.

In the current choppy/consolidating (or perhaps worse) market, pharmaceutical companies and selected biotechs garner attention as defensive plays, and among these Celgene is worth an evaluation.

Celgene Corporation (Nasdaq: CELG) develops and markets drugs to treat cancer, immunological disorders, and other diseases. The company's research concentrates on small molecule compounds that inhibit tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFa) production or aberrant estrogen production, or that may regulate kinases and ligases (enzymes).

Analysts really like the revenue growth rate for Revlimid, which received U.S. FDA approval in 2005, and treats a malignant blood disease called MDS. In 2006, Revlimid also received FDA approval to treat myeloma. Mainstay Thalomid, which treats bone marrow cancer, rounds-out an impressive one-two signature drug duo.