On March 29, 2019 Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) reported the following statement regarding Celgene’s (NASDAQ:CELG) settlement with Lotus Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and Alvogen Pine Brook, LLC (collectively, "Alvogen") relating to patents for Revlimid (Press release, Bristol-Myers Squibb, MAR 29, 2019, View Source [SID1234534780]):

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"We are pleased that Celgene has reached a settlement with Alvogen related to patents for Revlimid. This announcement is consistent with our assumptions during due diligence and provides further clarity and security around the patent estate for Revlimid. We are confident in the strength of our combination with Celgene and our ability to create a premier biopharma company with leading franchises and a deep and broad pipeline that will drive sustainable growth.

We look forward to continuing to work with Celgene to complete the transaction, and strongly urge all Bristol-Myers Squibb shareholders to vote ‘FOR’ the proposals relating to the proposed transaction with Celgene at the upcoming Special Meeting."

Additionally, the Company noted that in a March 29, 2019 report published prior to the disclosure of the settlement, Institutional Shareholder Services, an independent proxy advisory firm, concluded1:

"BMY’s perspective [about Revlimid] appears to be shared by a majority of the analyst community, and it has been strengthened since announcement of the deal by intervening events such as the PTAB’s recent IPR rulings in favor of Celgene."

Bristol-Myers Squibb and Celgene expect the transaction to close in the third quarter of 2019, subject to approval by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Celgene shareholders and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. The Bristol-Myers Squibb Special Meeting of Stockholders to vote on matters relating to the proposed merger is scheduled to take place on April 12, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. All shareholders of record of Bristol-Myers Squibb common stock as of the close of business on March 1, 2019 will be entitled to vote their shares either in person or by proxy at the stockholder meeting.

If Bristol-Myers Squibb shareholders have any questions or require assistance in voting their shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb stock, they should call MacKenzie Partners, Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb’s proxy solicitor for its Special Meeting, toll-free at (800) 322-2885 or at (212) 929-5500.