D-mab is the new EPO. At least, that’s what Amgen Inc. is hoping as it awaits FDA approval for its next growth engine, denosumab (D-mab). Submitted to FDA in December 2008 (and in the EU in January 2009) for post-menopausal osteoporosis (PMO) and some cancer indications, this drug is what Amgen needs if there’s to be independent life after its eroding EPO franchise, opines Jonas Alsenas, an analyst at Leerink Swann (which makes a market in Amgen). (See "Can Amgen Find a New Engine?" IN VIVO, May 2007 Also see "Can Amgen Find a New Engine?" - In Vivo, 1 May, 2007..)
According to Roger Perlmutter, MD, PhD, Amgen’s EVP, R&D, there’s no question that Amgen will have D-mab, though. Despite the...