Content about Amgen

February 8, 2013

Biotech drug maker Amgen plans to launch six biosimilar drugs starting in 2017, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Biotech drug maker Amgen plans to launch six biosimilar drugs starting in 2017, according to published reports.

December 10, 2012

Amgen is buying an Iceland-based biotech company for $415 million, the two said Monday.

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Amgen is buying an Iceland-based biotech company for $415 million, the two said Monday.

Amgen announced it would acquire DeCode Genetics, based in Reykjavik, Iceland, in a deal that Amgen's board of directors unanimously approved. Founded in 1996, DeCode focuses its business on finding links between the human genome and disease susceptibility. The acquisition is expected to close before the end of 2012 and does not require regulatory approval.

November 16, 2012

Kroger announced Thursday it will acquire the outstanding shares of Axium Pharmacy Holdings, a leading specialty pharmacy, and merge the two companies. By now, it should be clear that specialty is becoming an increasingly important part of the retail pharmacy mix, having grown more than sixfold in revenues between 2000 and 2011, with everyone from Rite Aid to Costco to Hy-Vee biting off a piece for themselves.

As Specialty Pharmacy magazine reported in its fall 2012 issue, specialty drug development is starting to play a much bigger role in drug development overall than traditional pharmaceuticals. According to the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics, seven of the top 20 drug therapy classes will be in specialty by 2016, including cancer, autoimmune disorders and antivirals, and specialty and bioengineered drugs remain one of the few growth centers in the drug industry in 2012. And according to Express Scripts, the market for specialty and bioengineered drugs is expected to grow from 2011's 17.1% to 22% by 2014.

Kroger announced Thursday it will acquire the outstanding shares of Axium Pharmacy Holdings, a leading specialty pharmacy, and merge the two companies. By now, it should be clear that specialty is becoming an increasingly important part of the retail pharmacy mix, having grown more than sixfold in revenues between 2000 and 2011, with everyone from Rite Aid to Costco to Hy-Vee biting off a piece for themselves.

October 31, 2012

Generic drug maker Sandoz has started a late-stage clinical trial in the United States for a biosimilar treatment for anemia, the company said.

HOLZKIRCHEN, Germany — Generic drug maker Sandoz has started a late-stage clinical trial in the United States for a biosimilar treatment for anemia, the company said.

Sandoz, the generics arm of Swiss drug maker Novartis, said it had started enrolling patients for a phase-3 study of epoetin alfa, a biosimilar version of Epogen and Procrit, made by Amgen and Johnson & Johnson and used to treat anemia associated with chronic kidney disease.

September 21, 2012

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new usage for an Amgen drug, the drug maker said.

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new usage for an Amgen drug, the drug maker said.

The biotech manufacturer announced the FDA approval of Prolia (denosumab) to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis who are at high risk for fracture. The drug already was approved for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

August 30, 2012

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a biosimilar drug made by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries for a condition that results from certain chemotherapy treatments, the drug maker said Thursday.

JERUSALEM — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a biosimilar drug made by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries for a condition that results from certain chemotherapy treatments, the drug maker said Thursday.

July 6, 2012

Amgen has completed its acquisition of Kai Pharmaceuticals, a privately held company based in South San Francisco, Calif.

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Amgen has completed its acquisition of Kai Pharmaceuticals, a privately held company based in South San Francisco, Calif.

The deal, first announced in April, is valued at $315 million. The deal also includes the acquisition of KAI-4169, an experimental drug Kai is developing for secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with chronic kidney disease who are on dialysis. KAI previously reported compelling mid-stage clinical results for KAI-4169 in this indication.

May 11, 2012

Biotech drug maker Amgen has joined the list of companies offering testimony at a Food and Drug Administration hearing on biosimilars Friday.

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Biotech drug maker Amgen has joined the list of companies offering testimony at a Food and Drug Administration hearing on biosimilars Friday.

May 1, 2012

The philanthropic arm of the American Pharmacists Association has announced this year's recipients of an award that recognizes pharmacists who increase medication adherence, reduce drug misadventures and promote the use of national treatment guidelines.

WASHINGTON — The philanthropic arm of the American Pharmacists Association has announced this year's recipients of an award that recognizes pharmacists who increase medication adherence, reduce drug misadventures and promote the use of national treatment guidelines.

April 25, 2012

Biotech drug maker Amgen is buying a pharmaceutical company based in Turkey, the companies said Wednesday.

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Biotech drug maker Amgen is buying a pharmaceutical company based in Turkey, the companies said Wednesday.

Amgen said it would acquire 95.6% of Istanbul-based Mustafa Nevzat for $700 million in an all-cash deal, saying the purchase would allow it to expand in Turkey and the surrounding region. The company, also known as MN, is a major supplier of injectable drugs in Turkey and, increasingly, an exporter of medicines.

April 24, 2012

George Rathmann, Amgen's founding CEO, has passed away, the drug maker announced Monday.

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — George Rathmann, Amgen's founding CEO, has passed away, the drug maker announced Monday.

April 10, 2012

Biotech manufacturer Amgen will acquire the private South San Francisco, Calif.-based drug developer Kai Pharmaceuticals for $315 million, the companies said Tuesday.

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Biotech manufacturer Amgen will acquire the private South San Francisco, Calif.-based drug developer Kai Pharmaceuticals for $315 million, the companies said Tuesday.

The deal includes the acquisition of KAI-4169, an experimental drug Kai is developing for secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with chronic kidney disease who are on dialysis. Amgen has provided a loan to fund phase-3 clinical studies of the drug and will acquire rights to it worldwide, except for Japan.

January 26, 2012

Drug maker Amgen is acquiring a Rockville, Md.-based company developing therapies for cancer, the companies said Thursday.

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Drug maker Amgen is acquiring a Rockville, Md.-based company developing therapies for cancer, the companies said Thursday.

Amgen announced plans to buy Micromet for $1.16 billion, or $11 per share. Micromet, originally founded in Germany, is developing blinatumomab, currently in phase-2 trials as a treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The acquisition also will include the company's research and development center in Munich.

January 20, 2012

One analysis report after another seems to confirm that the generic drug market is in for a huge shift as the number of blockbuster drugs losing patent protection is set to dwindle over the next several years. A recent report by Frost & Sullivan seems to confirm that sentiment.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — One analysis report after another seems to confirm that the generic drug market is in for a huge shift as the number of blockbuster drugs losing patent protection is set to dwindle over the next several years. A recent report by Frost & Sullivan seems to confirm that sentiment.

January 20, 2012

With the patent cliff and subsequent innovation drought moving closer, generic drug makers are looking to move up the value chain and pursue new sources of revenue, and of all the piles of pay dirt out there, biosimilars represent one of the closest things to an El Dorado, though regulations won’t take their final form for a while.


With the patent cliff and subsequent innovation drought moving closer, generic drug makers are looking to move up the value chain and pursue new sources of revenue, and of all the piles of pay dirt out there, biosimilars represent one of the closest things to an El Dorado, though regulations won’t take their final form for a while.


January 19, 2012

Drug maker Sandoz has started two late-stage clinical trials of biosimilar drugs for treating cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, the company said Thursday, saying the studies were meant to support the drugs' eventual marketing in the United States.

HOLZKIRCHEN, Germany — Drug maker Sandoz has started two late-stage clinical trials of biosimilar drugs for treating cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, the company said Thursday, saying the studies were meant to support the drugs' eventual marketing in the United States.

January 10, 2012

Generic drug maker Hospira has enrolled the first patient in a late-stage clinical trial of a biosimilar drug for treating kidney disease.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Generic drug maker Hospira has enrolled the first patient in a late-stage clinical trial of a biosimilar drug for treating kidney disease.

The company said the phase-3 trial of biosimilar EPO (erythropoietin) would compare its product with Amgen's Epogen in patients with kidney dysfunction who have anemia. The trial, which will enroll about 1,000 patients who already have taken Epogen, follows a phase-1 trial that ended last year, and results of the late-stage trial are expected next year.

January 3, 2012

Drug maker Amgen will discuss the supplemental biologics license application of Xgeva before a Food and Drug Administration review panel next month.

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Drug maker Amgen will discuss the supplemental biologics license application of Xgeva before a Food and Drug Administration review panel next month.

December 20, 2011

Generic drug maker Watson and biotech manufacturer Amgen will work together to develop biosimilar antibodies for treating cancer, the two companies said.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Generic drug maker Watson and biotech manufacturer Amgen will work together to develop biosimilar antibodies for treating cancer, the two companies said.

December 7, 2011

Prescribers, patients and specialty care centers no longer will be required to enroll in safety monitoring programs for two drugs used to treat low platelet counts, following changes to their risk evaluation and mitigation strategies.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — Prescribers, patients and specialty care centers no longer will be required to enroll in safety monitoring programs for two drugs used to treat low platelet counts, following changes to their risk evaluation and mitigation strategies.

November 21, 2011

A drug made by Amgen delayed the spread of prostate cancer to the bones in men with the disease and prolonged the survival of men with the condition, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial.

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — A drug made by Amgen delayed the spread of prostate cancer to the bones in men with the disease and prolonged the survival of men with the condition, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial.

October 11, 2011

A drug maker that focuses on treatments for hemophilia has named a new CEO.

LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif. — A drug maker that focuses on treatments for hemophilia has named a new CEO.

Inspiration Biopharmaceuticals announced Tuesday the appointment of John Butler as chief executive officer. Butler replaces Michael Griffith, who is taking the role of chief scientific officer while retaining the title of president.

September 19, 2011

The Food and Drug Administration has approved two new uses for a drug made by Amgen, the drug maker said Monday.

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved two new uses for a drug made by Amgen, the drug maker said Monday.

Amgen announced the approval of the biotech drug Prolia (denosumab) for increasing bone mass in men and women who are at risk of fractures due to hormone ablation treatments they are receiving for prostate and breast cancer, respectively.

September 12, 2011

It’s hard to disagree that generic drug companies have had a good run for the last several years. Branded drug companies developed a large number of drugs that proved highly effective at treating widespread medical conditions and became blockbusters, garnering billions of dollars in sales in the United States alone.

It’s hard to disagree that generic drug companies have had a good run for the last several years. Branded drug companies developed a large number of drugs that proved highly effective at treating widespread medical conditions and became blockbusters, garnering billions of dollars in sales in the United States alone. As patents on these blockbuster drugs have expired, they’ve provided generic manufacturers with enormous revenues, helping some to join the ranks of the world’s biggest drug companies.


August 25, 2011

Amgen has launched an educational campaign that targets women with postmenopausal osteoporosis at increased risk for fractures.

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Amgen has launched an educational campaign that targets women with postmenopausal osteoporosis at increased risk for fractures.

The drug maker said that to promote its Act 2 Reduce Fractures campaign, which is supported by American Bone Health, the Global Healthy Living Foundation and the Older Women's League, the company has tapped award-winning actress Blythe Danner, who was diagnosed with the disease, to encourage women to learn of the risk factors and ways to improve their condition.