Amgen reports double-digit growth in third quarter of 2012

Amgen has experienced strong year-on-year growth in the third quarter of 2012, according to the firm's latest financial report.

The pharmaceutical company generated $4.32 billion (2.68 billion pounds) in revenues during the three-month period, up by ten percent annually, while product sales rose by eight percent thanks to strong growth across Amgen's portfolio.

Earnings performance and free cash flow also saw improvements compared to Q3 2011, with drugs such as Xgeva, Enbrel, Vectibix and Nplate all seeing double-digit sales increases.

Amgen now expects to generate full-year revenues of between $17.2 billion and $17.3 billion.

Robert Bradway, president and chief executive officer at Amgen, said: "We delivered solid growth in revenues and earnings. Our marketed products are performing well and we continue to make progress with key pipeline projects."

This comes after the company announced the appointment of Cynthia Patton as its new senior vice-president and chief compliance officer last week, succeeding Anna Richo, who has left the organisation and joined UCB.