Neupogen Drug

Amgen Inc. is outselling Immunex Corp. six to one in a marketing battle of rival new biotechnology drugs expected to become the next family of gene-spliced medical blockbusters. Analysts expect the drugs to have annual sales reaching $600 million industrywide in five years. The drugs are genetically produced laboratory copies of proteins found in the body that trigger the production of white blood cells, one of the body's key infection fighters.

Amgen Inc.'s Neupogen, used to combat infections in patients undergoing chemotherapy, may increase the risk of blood cancers in breast cancer patients, according to a study. A review of medical records by researchers from Columbia University found that patients taking Neupogen had an elevated risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome compared with those not given the drug. The study is from today's Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Amgen Inc.'s Neupogen, used to combat infections in patients undergoing chemotherapy, may increase the risk of blood cancers in breast cancer patients, according to a study. A review of medical records by researchers from Columbia University found that patients taking Neupogen had an elevated risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome compared with those not given the drug. The study is from today's Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Amgen Inc. told health-care providers it has received reports of tampering involving its two best-selling products, Epogen and Neupogen. The letter, dated Feb. 13, was released through the Food and Drug Administration's MedWatch system. Amgen's letter said the company received three reports of tampering. The Thousand Oaks-based company said the tops on eight vials of the drugs, which come in liquid form, had been removed and the liquid replaced with another solution.

Biotechnology Patent Dispute Settled: Amgen Inc. in Thousand Oaks said it resolved a patent dispute with Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. over rights to a new infection-fighting drug for cancer patients. Under the agreement, Chugai dropped its two existing U.S. patents on the biotechnology-derived drug and, in the event it secures any U.S. patents in the future, granted Amgen royalty-free licenses to sell the drug in North America.

The stock market had a conniption last month when biotechnology giant Amgen Inc. said its sizzling sales growth was slowing a bit. Amgen, a Wall Street darling when its sales soared each quarter, saw its stock plunge 25% that day. Peeved shareholders then filed the obligatory lawsuits, alleging Amgen misled investors about its prospects. Amgen denies that, but small wonder the holders are upset.

Amgen's Neupogen OKd for HIV Treatment in Britain: Although Neupogen won approval there for treating people with advanced HIV infection, it must finish undergoing clinical trials before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will consider approving it for AIDS treatment in the United States. Thousand Oaks-based Amgen Inc.'

UC Irvine on Tuesday awarded Amgen Inc. a 1991 Medical Product of the Year Award for its development of a drug that stimulates blood cell growth in bone marrow, a technique that helps patients overcome the toxic effects of chemotherapy. "It's the No. 1 blockbuster drug to come out of the biomedical industry in at least five years," said Dr. Andrew Senyei, a judge in the annual competition, sponsored by UCI's Medical Research and Education Society. "It is a billion-dollar drug."

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued another patent to Amgen Inc. covering various product rights to its biotechnology drug G-CSF, which is sold under the trade name Neupogen. Neupogen, which generated sales last year of $936 million, was first approved for sale by the Food and Drug Administration in 1991. Amgen, based in Thousand Oaks, already has patents on the drug that cover various aspects of its manufacture.

The stock market had a conniption in February when biotechnology giant Amgen Inc. said its sizzling sales growth was slowing a bit. Amgen, a Wall Street darling when its sales were soaring every quarter, saw its stock plunge 25% that day. Overall, Amgen's total market value has fallen $5 billion in four months, to about $4.7 billion. Shares were traded at $78 each in early December, but closed Friday at $36, off $1. But the Street is focusing on the wrong problem.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued another patent to Amgen Inc. covering various product rights to its biotechnology drug G-CSF, which is sold under the trade name Neupogen. Neupogen, which generated sales last year of $936 million, was first approved for sale by the Food and Drug Administration in 1991. Amgen, based in Thousand Oaks, already has patents on the drug that cover various aspects of its manufacture.

Amgen's Neupogen OKd for HIV Treatment in Britain: Although Neupogen won approval there for treating people with advanced HIV infection, it must finish undergoing clinical trials before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will consider approving it for AIDS treatment in the United States. Thousand Oaks-based Amgen Inc.'

The stock market had a conniption in February when biotechnology giant Amgen Inc. said its sizzling sales growth was slowing a bit. Amgen, a Wall Street darling when its sales were soaring every quarter, saw its stock plunge 25% that day. Overall, Amgen's total market value has fallen $5 billion in four months, to about $4.7 billion. Shares were traded at $78 each in early December, but closed Friday at $36, off $1. But the Street is focusing on the wrong problem.

The stock market had a conniption last month when biotechnology giant Amgen Inc. said its sizzling sales growth was slowing a bit. Amgen, a Wall Street darling when its sales soared each quarter, saw its stock plunge 25% that day. Peeved shareholders then filed the obligatory lawsuits, alleging Amgen misled investors about its prospects. Amgen denies that, but small wonder the holders are upset.

Biotechnology Patent Dispute Settled: Amgen Inc. in Thousand Oaks said it resolved a patent dispute with Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. over rights to a new infection-fighting drug for cancer patients. Under the agreement, Chugai dropped its two existing U.S. patents on the biotechnology-derived drug and, in the event it secures any U.S. patents in the future, granted Amgen royalty-free licenses to sell the drug in North America.

UC Irvine on Tuesday awarded Amgen Inc. a 1991 Medical Product of the Year Award for its development of a drug that stimulates blood cell growth in bone marrow, a technique that helps patients overcome the toxic effects of chemotherapy. "It's the No. 1 blockbuster drug to come out of the biomedical industry in at least five years," said Dr. Andrew Senyei, a judge in the annual competition, sponsored by UCI's Medical Research and Education Society. "It is a billion-dollar drug."

Amgen Inc. told health-care providers it has received reports of tampering involving its two best-selling products, Epogen and Neupogen. The letter, dated Feb. 13, was released through the Food and Drug Administration's MedWatch system. Amgen's letter said the company received three reports of tampering. The Thousand Oaks-based company said the tops on eight vials of the drugs, which come in liquid form, had been removed and the liquid replaced with another solution.

A Food and Drug Administration advisory panel has recommended expanding the use of Amgen Inc.'s Neupogen drug. If the FDA approves a unanimous decision by its Biological Response Modifier Advisory Committee, Neupogen will be used for more rapid recovery of white blood cells after some forms of cancer chemotherapy. The new procedure would allow cells to be removed from a patient's blood instead of from bone marrow.

Amgen Inc. is outselling Immunex Corp. six to one in a marketing battle of rival new biotechnology drugs expected to become the next family of gene-spliced medical blockbusters. Analysts expect the drugs to have annual sales reaching $600 million industrywide in five years. The drugs are genetically produced laboratory copies of proteins found in the body that trigger the production of white blood cells, one of the body's key infection fighters.