Amgen discusses the future with analysts

Sure, we've got trouble [1], says Amgen CEO Kevin Sharer. But we can handle it [2]. That's the bottom line from a Monday chat with investors, many of whom are more than a little worried by today's FDA panel meeting on anemia drugs [3]. Amgen is out to counter a Medicare decision to curb the use of Aranesp and other anemia drugs. And the company, which has recently announced a major restructuring, can "hack it," he says reassuringly. Still, the biotech giant notes that it is besieged by some critical problems.

"We're a company that obviously has more than our share of challenges right now," Sharer told analysts. "We have a new reality in the business and it's not a completely predictable dynamic."

- see Amgen's release [4] on the FDA anemia drug meeting
- check out the AP report [5] for more on Amgen's discussion with analysts

ALSO: Throw a bunch of pharma execs into a room with financial analysts, and what do you get? Almost unmitigated hope. Report [6]

Related Articles:
Amgen ups lobbying efforts. Report [7]
New Medicare cap on anemia drugs could hammer Amgen. Report [8]
Amgen makes big workforce, budget cuts. Report [1]
Amgen in crisis? Not us, says CEO Sharer. Report [2]
Amgen stock slips as anemia drug concerns rise. Report [9]