Amgen Inc. attributed sharply higher first-quarter profit...

Amgen Inc. attributed sharply higher first-quarter profit to a steady expansion in the use of two of its drugs and the launch of one of its drugs in Canada.

The Thousand Oaks-based pharmaceutical company reported net income of $63.25 million, or 43 cents a share, up 71% from last year’s $36.87 million, or 26 cents a share. Revenue for the most recent period totaled $220.2 million, compared to $139.5 million for the same quarter a year ago.