Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Amgen Gets FDA Nod For "Next Gen" Osteoporosis Drug -- "See Ya', Fosamax®!"


Twice a year injections are going to be a selling point, over the weekly pill regimen of Fosamax®. Per the AP, tonight:

. . . .The injectable drug is given once every six months to increase bone mass and strength.

Analysts think Prolia should bring Amgen billions in revenue after it is approved. . . .

Global sales of osteoporosis treatments topped $8 billion last year, including hundreds of vitamin brands and drugs like GlaxoSmithKline PLC's Boniva and Merck & Co. Inc.'s Fosamax.

With eight other pills and injectable medicines on the market, analysts say Prolia's success likely will hinge on its price.

Prolia will cost $850 per injection, which the Amgen says is competitive with existing treatments. . . .

This follows a European approval of last Friday.

Wait -- I haven't even mentioned (i) the litigation pending against Merck, related to long-term Fosamax use, and (ii) that there is a generic version of Fosamax. But you already knew about all that.

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