Amgen Wins OK for Arthritis Drug Dosing

Amgen Inc. said it won regulatory approval of its Enbrel arthritis drug as a once-weekly treatment.

The Food and Drug Administration said patients may take two doses of the medicine on the same day instead of waiting at least three days between injections, the Thousand Oaks company said. Amgen sells Enbrel with drug maker Wyeth.

Enbrel, which was first approved in the U.S. in 1998, competes with Abbott Laboratories’ Humira as a treatment for the crippling joint disorder rheumatoid arthritis. People who are treated with Humira usually give themselves injections once every two weeks.

Amgen fell $1.12 to $61.89 on Nasdaq. The company announced the approval after the close of regular trading.