Pharmion secures $65 million

BOULDER — Pharmion Corp., a global specialty pharmaceutical company based in Boulder, has raised $65 million in mezzanine financing. Nomura International’s Private Equity Group, based in London, led the round. The company’s first round investors — Domain, Versant Ventures, Aberdare Ventures, Abingworth Management and Pharmion management ? also invested in this round.

The money will be used to register and the launch its first two products, 5-Azacitidine and thalidomide. Both show promise in the treatment of life-threatening diseases.

Pharmion recently signed agreements with Celgene Corp. for exclusive licenses to its intellectual property covering thalidomide. Pharmion plans to file for regulatory approval…