In December 2007, MGI Pharma Inc (NASDAQ:MOGN) was acquired by Japanese company Eisai Co., Ltd. for a reported price of $3.9B. Founded as Molecular Genetics - changed to MGI PHARMA, INC in 1990 coincident with going public - the firm was a biopharmaceutical company focused in oncology and acute care that acquired, researched, developd, and commercialized proprietary products that address the unmet needs of patients. When SBIR involved in their very early days, the firm had operated primarily as an animal health and agricultural biotechnology company. Publicly traded from 1990, MGI PHARMA had a portfolio of proprietary pharmaceuticals - marketing Aloxi® (palonosetron hydrochloride) Injection, Dacogen® (decitabine) for Injection and Gliadel® (polifeprosan 20 with carmustine implant) Wafer in the United States.market Aloxi® (palonosetron hydrochloride) Injection for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), Dacogen® (decitabine) for Injection for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and Gliadel® Wafer (polifeprosan 20 with carmustine implant) for the treatment of two types of brain cancer, malignant glioma and glioblastoma multiforme. From c. 2004 - a fairly aggressive program of acquisitions often paying cash and similarly a program of in-licensing therapeutics for niche markets. Located in MN with facilities also in Lexington, MA and Baltimore, MD.
