Amgen’s Aranesp ‘decreases hospitalisations and deaths’

Amgen has revealed new results for Aranesp, its recombinant erythropoietic protein designed to stimulate red blood cell production.

In phase II clinical trials, Aranesp was found to increase haemoglobin levels in patients who have experienced heart failure and anaemia at a greater level than the placebo and allowed them to exercise for longer than those taking the placebo.

Furthermore, hospitalisation and mortality was reduced for Aranesp patients. The drug was found to be well-tolerated with side-effects reduced in many cases compared to the placebo.

Dirk J van Veldhuisen MD, department of cardiology/thoracic surgery at University Medical Centre, Groningen, Netherlands, remarked: “These results are especially encouraging because, currently, there are no approved treatments to address the debilitating effects of anaemia associated with symptomatic heart failure.”

William Dere MD, Amgen’s senior vice-president for global development and medical officer, added: “Despite medical advances, heart failure and its complications are a leading cause of death and hospitalisation worldwide.”

“Amgen is committed to investigating the potential that Aranesp may provide heart failure patients, who also suffer from anaemia, a new treatment option through the RED-HF trial,” he concluded.

Amgen claims to be the world’s largest biotechnology company and it employs over 17,000 people, including those at its research facility in Cambridge. The company has research programmes operating in fields such as inflammation, metabolic disorders, osteoporosis, oncology, neuroscience and haematology.

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