Amgen Positioned to Deliver Attractive Growth Over Next Five Years
NEW YORK, November 07, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- At an Amgen meeting of about 200 securities analysts and investors in New York City today, several members of its senior management team outlined the Company's growth strategy, which includes delivering on its pipeline -- including the experimental bone drug denosumab -- growing in-line products and continuing to pursue operating efficiencies.
"In 2001, Amgen had two blockbuster products and today we have five blockbusters on the market," said Amgen Chairman and CEO Kevin Sharer. "Over the next five years we could have three more drugs achieve blockbuster status: Sensipar(R) (cinacalcet), denosumab for osteoporosis and denosumab for cancer-related indications."
Roger M. Perlmutter, M.D., Ph.D., executive vice president for Research and Development (R&D), noted that increased investment in R&D has more than doubled the size of Amgen's pipeline. In 2001, Amgen had about 20 molecules in the pipeline. In 2008 there are more than 50.
"We are optimistic that our pipeline will deliver a number of innovative products, including denosumab, that will provide important treatments for patients around the world who suffer from grievous illness," Perlmutter said.
Amgen is anticipating 17 key Phase 2 and 3 clinical study results in 2009 and 2010, including for denosumab (oncology), AMG 386 and AMG 655 for various cancer indications, and its Sensipar/Mimpara EVOLVE trial, an outcomes study in dialysis patients. The Company has completed enrollment of most of its denosumab oncology studies and expects to have the opportunity to review data from the first skeletal-related events (SRE) studies in the first half of 2009.
Amgen expects to complete its Biologic License Application (BLA) data package for denosumab for post menopausal osteoporosis by the end of 2008 or early 2009. Amgen looks forward to working in due course with regulatory authorities and governments worldwide to secure appropriate approval for marketing, coverage and reimbursement for denosumab and other late phase pipeline opportunities.
George Morrow, Amgen's executive vice president for Global Commercial Operations, outlined the critical factors for successfully commercializing denosumab and gave an updated outlook on the Company's marketed products.
"Although we expect an additional decline of 10 to 20 percent in U.S. Aranesp(R) (darbepoetin alfa) sales before relative stability is achieved in the first half of 2009, we also expect sales growth from our overall existing product portfolio to continue," Morrow said. "We are also actively engaged in preparations to deliver on the promise of denosumab."
Robert A. Bradway, Amgen's executive vice president and CFO, shared his perspective on the Company's financial objectives. "After delivering on our restructuring program, we remain focused on optimizing both our cost and capital structures," Bradway said. He noted the Company aspires to be among the top three biopharmaceutical companies in growth over the next five years.
Financial guidance previously provided on Oct. 22, 2008 for 2008 revenue and adjusted earnings per share remains unchanged.
About Amgen
Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures and delivers innovative human therapeutics. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen was one of the first companies to realize the new science's promise by bringing safe and effective medicines from lab, to manufacturing plant, to patient. Amgen therapeutics have changed the practice of medicine, helping millions of people around the world in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people's lives. To learn more about our pioneering science and our vital medicines, visit http://www.amgen.com [1].
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including estimates of revenues, operating margins, capital expenditures, cash, other financial metrics, expected legal, arbitration, political, regulatory or clinical results or practices, customer and prescriber patterns or practices, reimbursement activities and outcomes and other such estimates and results. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, including those discussed below and more fully described in the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reports filed by Amgen, including Amgen's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and most recent periodic reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. Please refer to Amgen's most recent Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K for additional information on the uncertainties and risk factors related to our business. Unless otherwise noted, Amgen is providing this information as of Nov. 7, 2008, and expressly disclaims any duty to update information contained in this news release.
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[1] http://www.amgen.com/