Amgen to Present Research on Extended-Release Epogen

Amgen Inc.’s NESP, an extended-release version of its blockbuster anemia drug Epogen, is as effective as the original, according to a research summary to be presented in November.

A study of 522 patients on kidney dialysis found that those given NESP once a week or once every two weeks fared as well as those given Epogen once a week to three times a week. The side effects, deaths and withdrawals from the study were the same in both groups.

NESP is an important drug for Amgen, the world’s largest biotechnology company. Thousand Oaks-based Amgen has rights to market its Epogen anemia treatment only for kidney dialysis in the United States, while Johnson & Johnson sells the drug for all other uses and also holds most overseas rights.

Analysts have said NESP sales will boost Amgen’s annual revenue by more than $1 billion as it starts competing with J&J; in marketing the drug to other types of patients with anemia, including those with AIDS and cancer.

According to information published on the American Society of Nephrology Internet site, patients were tested to see whether NESP allowed them to maintain the same levels of hemoglobin in their blood as Epogen.

NESP is in the third of three phases of clinical trials required for U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval.

The full research will be presented Nov. 7 at a meeting of the American Society of Nephrology in Miami.