Study Meets Primary Endpoint by Significantly Improving Bone Metastasis-Free Survival for More Than Four Months
Up to 90 Percent of Men with Advanced Prostate Cancer Will Develop Bone Metastases

THOUSAND OAKS, CA, USA | May 17, 2011 | Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) today announced primary results of a pivotal Phase 3 trial (‘147) demonstrating that XGEVA(TM) (denosumab) significantly increased bone metastasis-free survival for more than four months in men with castrate-resistant metastatic prostate cancer that has not yet spread to bone. Full results of the ‘147 study were presented for the first time today in a late-breaking plenary session at the American Urological Association (AUA) 2011 Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.

With effective therapies now in place for both early (castrate-sensitive) prostate cancer and advanced (castrate-resistant) prostate cancer, there is a gap in the treatment plan for those patients who are castrate-resistant but have not yet developed metastatic disease. Bone is the most common place for prostate cancer to spread; up to 90 percent of men with prostate cancer will experience bone metastases.(i)(ii)(iii)

The data showed that XGEVA significantly improved median bone metastasis-free survival by 4.2 months, a risk reduction of 15 percent, compared with placebo (29.5 versus 25.2 months, respectively; hazard ratio [HR] 0.85; 95 percent CI: 0.73, 0.98; P=0.028). XGEVA also significantly delayed the time to first bone metastases by 3.7 months compared with placebo (HR 0.84; 95 percent CI: 0.71, 0.98; P=0.032; risk reduction of 16 percent). XGEVA also reduced the risk of bone metastases that were symptomatic by 33 percent (HR 0.67; 95 percent CI: 0.49, 0.92; P=0.01). Overall survival was similar between groups (HR 1.01; 95 percent CI: 0.85, 1.20; P=0.91), and the hazard ratio for progression-free survival was 0.89 (95 percent CI: 0.78, 1.02, P=0.093).

"In this landmark Phase 3 study, XGEVA increased bone metastasis-free survival by preventing bone metastases in men with castration-resistant prostate cancer," said Matthew Smith, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Genitourinary Malignancies Program at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston. "XGEVA is the first and only bone targeted therapy that has demonstrated the ability to significantly reduce the risk of bone metastasis in men with prostate cancer."

In the ‘147 trial, adverse events and serious adverse events were relatively similar between the XGEVA and placebo arms. Hypocalcemia and osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) were reported with increased frequencies in the XGEVA treated patients. The yearly rate of ONJ in the XGEVA arm was similar to prior XGEVA trial results. Back pain was the most common adverse event reported in the XGEVA arm of the trial.

Study Design

Study ‘147 was a randomized, placebo-controlled, multi-center Phase 3 study comparing the treatment effect of XGEVA to placebo in prolonging bone metastasis-free survival – a measure of the time that patients live without progressing to bone metastases – in 1,432 men with hormone-refractory (castrate-resistant) prostate cancer with rapidly-rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels who had no bone metastases at baseline. The primary endpoint of the trial was time to first occurrence of bone metastases or death from any cause with secondary endpoints including time to first occurrence of bone metastases (excluding death) and overall survival.

About XGEVA

XGEVA is the first and only RANK Ligand inhibitor approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) indicated for the prevention of skeletal-related events (SREs) in patients with bone metastases from solid tumors. XGEVA is not indicated for the prevention of SREs in patients with multiple myeloma. XGEVA is the first novel bone metastases treatment for advanced cancer patients in nearly a decade. Delivered as an every four week 120 mg subcutaneous injection, XGEVA provides a unique option for urologists and oncologists to prevent skeletal-related events in patients with advanced cancer.

XGEVA is a fully human monoclonal antibody that binds to RANK Ligand, a protein essential for the formation, function and survival of osteoclasts (the cells that break down bone). XGEVA prevents RANK Ligand from activating its receptor, RANK, on the surface of osteoclasts, thereby decreasing bone destruction.

XGEVA has been studied in over 7,000 patients with cancer. In clinical trials, XGEVA demonstrated a clinically meaningful improvement compared to the previous standard of care in preventing bone complications. XGEVA is also being investigated for the potential use to delay the onset of bone metastasis in adjuvant breast cancer.

XGEVA Skeletal-Related Events Regulatory Status

Amgen has submitted marketing applications for XGEVA in the European Union, Australia, and Switzerland for the prevention of SREs in patients with bone metastases from solid tumors. In Japan, Amgen is working with its licensing partner, Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited and a marketing application was submitted.

XGEVA Important Safety Information

 

XGEVA can cause severe hypocalcemia. Correct pre-existing hypocalcemia prior to XGEVA treatment. Monitor calcium levels and administer calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D as necessary. Advise patients to contact a healthcare professional for symptoms of hypocalcemia.

ONJ can occur in patients receiving XGEVA. Patients who are suspected of having or who develop ONJ while on XGEVA should receive care by a dentist or an oral surgeon. In these patients, extensive dental surgery to treat ONJ may exacerbate the condition.

The most common adverse reactions in patients receiving XGEVA were fatigue/asthenia, hypophosphatemia, and nausea. The most common serious adverse reaction in patients receiving XGEVA was dyspnea. The most common adverse reactions resulting in discontinuation of XGEVA were osteonecrosis and hypocalcemia. Please visit www.amgen.com for full prescribing information.

Bone Metastases and Skeletal-Related Events: Prevalence and Impact

Bone metastases occur in more than 1.5 million patients with cancer worldwide and are most commonly associated with cancers of the prostate, lung, and breast, with incidence rates as high as 90 percent of patients with metastatic disease.(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)

Approximately 50-70 percent of cancer patients with bone metastases will experience debilitating SREs.(viii)(ix)(x) Events considered to be SREs include fractures, spinal cord compression and severe bone pain that may require surgery or radiation.(xi) Such events can profoundly disrupt a patient’s life and can cause disability and pain.(xii)(xiii)(xiv)

Denosumab and Amgen’s Research in Bone Biology

The denosumab development program demonstrates Amgen’s commitment to researching and delivering pioneering medicines to patients with unmet medical needs. Amgen is studying denosumab in numerous tumor types across the spectrum of cancer-related bone diseases. Over 11,000 patients have been enrolled in the denosumab oncology clinical trials. In addition to this newly approved indication, XGEVA is also being investigated for its potential to delay bone metastases in prostate and breast cancer.

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, bone disease 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 www.amgen.com.

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SOURCE Amgen