FDA Panel Backs New Use of Amgen’s Neupogen

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. Removal from the blood is less invasive and can be done on an outpatient basis, Amgen said.

Neupogen is a key product of the Thousand Oaks-based biotechnology company.