Despite Celgene's Abraxane Stock, Trading Earn-Outs Is The Exception Not The Rule

Though Abraxane (paclitaxel) is now part of Celgene Corp.'s growing oncology portfolio, you don't need Celgene stock to invest in its newest product, a reformulation of the generic chemotherapy that's approved to treat metastatic breast cancer. As part of Celgene's cash-and-stock $2.9 billion acquisition of Abraxis BioScience Inc. Celgene deferred at least $650 million in potential payments to Abraxis shareholders, plus royalty payments tied to Abraxane sales. Unlike most earn-out-laden deals, however, the contingency value rights, or CVRs, for the earn-outs have been securitized and now trade under the ticker CELGZ. Despite potential advantages - tradeable CVRs let shareholders bet on the success or failure of specific assets, for instance - these investment vehicles are still a rarity in the marketplace.