Amgen shares surge on positive D-mab data

Amgen investors had plenty to cheer about this morning after seeing some impressive data on D-mab's ability to reduce fractures among post-menopausal women with osteoporosis. The therapy reduced new spine fractures by 68 percent compared to placebo and reduced hip fractures by 40 percent. The news triggered a 5 percent surge in Amgen stock.

Researchers had already alerted the industry that the study had been a success, but held back the details for this week. Analysts say that an approved denosumab--a twice yearly injection--could be worth two to three billion dollars a year. But observers also note that D-mab is going to have to prove itself against standard therapies in order to reach mega blockbuster status.

On Monday Amgen released data from a study illustrating that patients preferred D-mab to Fosamax and also demonstrated greater increases of bone density.

- read Amgen's release
- check out the report from TheStreet

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