\nIn 2001 ImClone Systems appeared unstoppable: in May, the company announced stunning results for its \u201crevolutionary\u201d drug; in June, Erbitux was put on a fast-track status by the FDA; and in September, Bristol-Myers Squibb signed an unprecedented $2 billion deal for Erbitux. As ImClone\u2019s fortunes rose, so did Sam Waksal\u2019s. Like a latter-day Jay Gatsby, Waksal had willed himself from humble Midwestern roots into the upper reaches of New York society. The son of Holocaust survivors, he befriended Martha Stewart, dated her daughter Alexis, hosted parties in his SoHo loft featuring Mick Jagger, bought noted paintings from A-list art dealer Larry Gagosian, and had Carl Icahn as a tennis partner and financial backer.
\nBut in the last days of December 2001, the unthinkable happened: the FDA rejected Erbitux \u2014 not because there was anything wrong with the drug, but because ImClone\u2019s science was \u201csloppy\u201d and \u201cincomplete.\u201d
\nThe company\u2019s stock plunged, and Waksal, who was carrying $80 million dollars in debt, tried to save himself by lying, forging signatures and trading his family\u2019s stock on inside information. The SEC and DOJ immediately opened investigations. FBI agents raided Waksal\u2019s loft at dawn and led him away in handcuffs while paparazzi jeered and his octogenarian father punched a CNN cameraman. Congress opened hearings into how such a promising cancer drug \u2014 the \u201cmagic bullet\u201d that was supposed to \u201cchange oncology forever\u201d \u2014 had been so badly tarnished.
\nAt that moment, Martha Stewart and her Merrill Lynch stockbroker, Peter Bacanovic, were linked to the unfolding scandal, and suddenly ImClone was making headlines around the world.
\nLike Enron and Tyco, ImClone is a leading example of late-1990s hubris and greed; but unlike any other case, the ImClone scandal was also about life and death. Lost in the hubbub over Waksal\u2019s illegal trades and Martha\u2019s lost millions were thousands of cancer patients who had run out of treatment options. Waksal gave them false hope and profited from their desperation. At his trial, the once-highflying CEO was excoriated by the judge, fined and given the maximum sentence of seven-plus years in jail. Since then, his brother has been pushed out of the company and their father has been indicted on insider trading.
\nIn mid-February 2004 the FDA approved Erbitux for use against colon cancer, to the relief of cancer patients and ImClone\u2019s investors. In June, Martha Stewart and her broker, Peter Bacanovic, were found guilty of obstruction of justice and each sentenced to five months in prison and five months of home-stay. Bristol-Myers Squibb has faced multiple investigations and has paid hefty fines for its business practices.
\nTHE CELL GAME is a cautionary tale in the manner of Elmer Gantry, only it is set in the biotech business and Manhattan\u2019s fin-de-siecle social whirl.
\nThe book features an unusual cast of characters, including Dr. John Mendelsohn, the brilliant oncologist who developed Erbitux but was also embroiled in the Enron scandal; Shannon Kellum, the photogenic 28 year-old colon cancer patient whose \u201cmiraculous\u201d turnaround with Erbitux launched the drug, but who later died in obscurity; Martha Stewart, Carl Icahn and others from New York\u2019s social-business nexus; the scientists and executives of Bristol-Myers Squibb; investigators, Congressmen and FDA bureaucrats; Wall Street investors, doctors, cancer patients and journalists. Linking all of these people was the charismatic but terribly flawed antihero, Sam Waksal.
\nTHE CELL GAME began with Prud\u2019homme\u2019s article, \u201cInvestigating ImClone,\u201d published in the June 2002 issue of Vanity Fair, which was anthologized inBest Business Crime Writing of the Year, edited by James Suroweicki of The New Yorker. Prud\u2019homme devoted nine months to investigative reporting and writing this book, and it contains much exclusive information.
\nTHE CELL GAME was published by HarperBusiness on January 20, 2004. Showtime has optioned the book for a television movie, tentatively scheduled for 2005. HarperBusiness plans to issue a paperback version of the book when the movie airs.[\/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”” bottom_margin=”40″ sep_color=”#ffffff” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”170px” alignment=”” class=”” id=””\/][\/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_tabs design=”classic” layout=”vertical” justified=”yes” backgroundcolor=”” inactivecolor=”#d9d9d9″ bordercolor=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_tab title=”Contents” icon=”fa-caret-right”]Contents<\/strong>
\nTHE S2 BILLION ANTIBODY 1 Cancer Cells Are Smart ….. 3
\nThe Idea of the New ….. 17
\nFamily Business ….. 42
\nThe Miracle ….. 67
\nSmall and OneArmed ….. 89
\nA Very HighRisk Opportunity ….. 117
\nThe S2 Billion Antibody ….. 140
\nREFUSAL TO FILE ….. 165
\nInquiries ….. 205
\nThe Disconnect That Wouldn’t Go Away ….. 219
\nWho Knew What and When? ….. 235
\nCoincidences Piling Up ….. 261
\nIn the Light of October ….. 277
\nTHE ONCE AND FUTURE MIRACLE DRUG ….. 311
\nEpilogue ….. 355
\nNotes ….. 369
\nThe Letter ….. 167
\nWe Screwed Up ….. 185
\nCLINICAL TRIAL ….. 203
\nIndex ….. 393[\/fusion_tab][fusion_tab title=”Buy Now” icon=”fa-cart-plus”]<\/p>\n
[\/fusion_tab][\/fusion_tabs][\/fusion_builder_column][\/fusion_builder_row][\/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_title size=”3″ content_align=”center” style_type=”none” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]REVIEWS<\/span>[\/fusion_title][fusion_content_boxes settings_lvl=”child” layout=”clean-vertical” columns=”1″ icon_align=”left” title_size=”” title_color=”” body_color=”#353535″ backgroundcolor=”#d9d9d9″ icon_circle=”” icon_circle_radius=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”” circlebordercolor=”” circlebordersize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordersize=”” icon_size=”” icon_hover_type=”” hover_accent_color=”” link_type=”” link_area=”” link_target=”” animation_delay=”” animation_offset=”top-into-view” animation_type=”slide” animation_direction=”right” animation_speed=”0.1″ margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_content_box title=”” icon=”” backgroundcolor=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”” circlebordercolor=”” circlebordersize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordersize=”” iconrotate=”” iconspin=”no” image=”” image_width=”35″ image_height=”35″ link=”” linktext=”” link_target=”_self” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=””]<\/p>\n “A fly-on-thewall account of Waksal\u2019s rise and fall.”-\u00a0 Dayton Daily News <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n [\/fusion_content_box][\/fusion_content_boxes][fusion_content_boxes settings_lvl=”child” layout=”clean-vertical” columns=”1″ icon_align=”left” title_size=”” title_color=”” body_color=”#353535″ backgroundcolor=”#cbd4c2″ icon_circle=”” icon_circle_radius=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”” circlebordercolor=”” circlebordersize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordersize=”” icon_size=”” icon_hover_type=”” hover_accent_color=”” link_type=”” link_area=”” link_target=”” animation_delay=”” animation_offset=”top-into-view” animation_type=”slide” animation_direction=”right” animation_speed=”0.1″ margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_content_box title=”” icon=”” backgroundcolor=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”” circlebordercolor=”” circlebordersize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordersize=”” iconrotate=”” iconspin=”no” image=”” image_width=”35″ image_height=”35″ link=”” linktext=”” link_target=”_self” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=””]<\/p>\n “A compelling account… well worth reading… to appreciate what\u2019s really at stake in ImClone\u2019s downfall.” – Publishers Weekly<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n [\/fusion_content_box][\/fusion_content_boxes][fusion_content_boxes settings_lvl=”child” layout=”clean-vertical” columns=”1″ icon_align=”left” title_size=”” title_color=”” body_color=”#353535″ backgroundcolor=”#d9d9d9″ icon_circle=”” icon_circle_radius=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”” circlebordercolor=”” circlebordersize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordersize=”” icon_size=”” icon_hover_type=”” hover_accent_color=”” link_type=”” link_area=”” link_target=”” animation_delay=”” animation_offset=”top-into-view” animation_type=”slide” animation_direction=”right” animation_speed=”0.1″ margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_content_box title=”” icon=”” backgroundcolor=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”” circlebordercolor=”” circlebordersize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordersize=”” iconrotate=”” iconspin=”no” image=”” image_width=”35″ image_height=”35″ link=”” linktext=”” link_target=”_self” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=””]<\/p>\n “All the ingredients of a juicy crime novel….Prud\u2019homme weaves a chilling tale.” \u2014 Vanessa Bush, U.S. News & World Report<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n [\/fusion_content_box][\/fusion_content_boxes][fusion_content_boxes settings_lvl=”child” layout=”clean-vertical” columns=”1″ icon_align=”left” title_size=”” title_color=”” body_color=”#353535″ backgroundcolor=”#cbd4c2″ icon_circle=”” icon_circle_radius=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”” circlebordercolor=”” circlebordersize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordersize=”” icon_size=”” icon_hover_type=”” hover_accent_color=”” link_type=”” link_area=”” link_target=”” animation_delay=”” animation_offset=”top-into-view” animation_type=”slide” animation_direction=”right” animation_speed=”0.1″ margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_content_box title=”” icon=”” backgroundcolor=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”” circlebordercolor=”” circlebordersize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordersize=”” iconrotate=”” iconspin=”no” image=”” image_width=”35″ image_height=”35″ link=”” linktext=”” link_target=”_self” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=””]<\/p>\n “A fast-paced, absorbing and dramatic account…An important, excellent book that makes for fascinating reading. Highly recommended.” – Library Journal<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n [\/fusion_content_box][\/fusion_content_boxes][\/fusion_builder_column][\/fusion_builder_row][\/fusion_builder_container]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" [fusion_builder_container background_color=”#f0f0ed” background_image=”https:\/\/alexprudhomme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/the_cell_game-copy.jpg” background_parallax=”up” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”center top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”200px” padding_bottom=”300px” padding_left=”” padding_right=”” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_6″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"100-width.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n![](\"https:\/\/alexprudhomme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/cell-game-1.jpg\")
This book is on sale at \u00a0Amazon<\/a>, and\u00a0Barnes & Noble<\/a>.<\/p>\n