Amgen Osteoporosis Drug Reduces Bone Fractures in Pivotal Study

Luke Timmerman7/25/08

Amgen, the world’s largest biotechnology company, said today that its experimental drug for osteoporosis reduced the rate of fractures in a pivotal clinical trial of 7,800 women who took the drug or a placebo. The rate of side effects, including infections, were similar for patients on denosumab and the placebo, the company said. Thousand Oaks, CA-based Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) has about 1,000 employees in Seattle and Bothell. Analysts have predicted the new drug could exceed $2 billion in annual sales if approved by the FDA.

Luke Timmerman is the National Biotech Editor of Xconomy, and the Editor of Xconomy Seattle. E-mail him at ltimmerman@xconomy.com or follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/ldtimmerman.