Thursday, May 29, 2008

Amgen says osteoporosis drug tops Merck's in trial

NEW YORK -

Biotechnology company Amgen Inc. said Wednesday that a head-to-head study showed its late-stage osteoporosis drug denosumab was more effective than a competing drug from Merck & Co.

Amgen said that in a study of 1,189 postmenopausal women, denosumab showed greater improvement in bone mineral density at various skeletal sites, including the hip and spine, compared to Merck's Fosamax. Results were presented at a medical conference in Barcelona, Spain.

The results mirrored those of a head-to-head trial released May 19 among women who were transitioned from Fosamax to denosumab.

Denosumab is given twice a year as a subcutaneous injection, while Fosamax is taken once a week as a pill.

Amgen also said it is awaiting results from a late-stage trial expected later this year examining anti-fracture efficacy that it will use to support a denosumab application with the Food and Drug Administration.

NEW YORK -

Biotechnology company Amgen Inc. said Wednesday that a head-to-head study showed its late-stage osteoporosis drug denosumab was more effective than a competing drug from Merck & Co.

Amgen said that in a study of 1,189 postmenopausal women, denosumab showed greater improvement in bone mineral density at various skeletal sites, including the hip and spine, compared to Merck's Fosamax. Results were presented at a medical conference in Barcelona, Spain.

The results mirrored those of a head-to-head trial released May 19 among women who were transitioned from Fosamax to denosumab.

Denosumab is given twice a year as a subcutaneous injection, while Fosamax is taken once a week as a pill.

Amgen also said it is awaiting results from a late-stage trial expected later this year examining anti-fracture efficacy that it will use to support a denosumab application with the Food and Drug Administration.

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