Pharmion Corp. (NYSE: PHRM) is recently down $2.95 to $58.50. Celgene Corp. (NASDAQ: CELG) agreed to acquire PHRM, a manufacturer of blood-cancer treatments, for $72 in cash or stock on November 19. The transaction is expected to close in mid-2008. PHRM January option implied volatility of 38 is below its 26-week average of 53 according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price risk.

Options Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.

Celgene (NASDAQ: CELG), a quickly-growing biotech firm focused on technologies to treat cancer and immune-inflammatory-related diseases, announced today that the company is acquiring Pharmion Corp. (NASDAQ: PHRM) for a tad under $3 billion. Celgene markets proprietary thalidomide-based drugs for blood cancers. The acquisition of Pharmion gives Celgene a leukemia treatment that helped patients live longer in a study.

Pharmion holders will get $72 a share, 46% higher than Pharmion's most recent closing stock price of $49.28 on November 16.

This deal is being warmly received on Wall Street. While expensive, "there are few deals that make as much business sense and add as many operating synergies in the biotechnology space," according to a report from Bank of America. "With the acquisition, Celgene is increasing the depth of its pipeline which we believe was required for the next leg of growth. Celgene is acquiring a pipeline including Vidaza, a potential best in class therapy for Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)."

Celgene is a quickly-growing biotechnology firm that is now shoring up its pipeline with a new therapy with lots of potential. Mr. Mad Money himself has publicly supported Celgene. You can see what BloggingStocks had to say about Cramer's interview with Celgene COO back earlier this year.

Positive test results for Pharmion Corporation (NASDAQ: PHRM)'s drug Vidaza shot the global pharmaceutical firm's shares more than 50% higher in morning trading Thursday. Pharmion is currently the biggest percentage gainer on the NASDAQ.

Vidaza is said to significantly extend the life of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome. In a late-stage study, results showed that taking Vidaza extends the median survival of 15 months for those on conventional treatments to 24.4 months. Shortly before 1:30 p.m., Pharmion shares were trading at $37.60, up 52% from Wednesday's $24.64 close.