Amgen reports positive data from trial of cholesterol therapy Repatha

Amgen has announced new data from a phase III clinical trial showing the benefits offered by its cholesterol therapy Repatha.

Results from the GAUSS-3 trial, which evaluated Repatha in patients with high cholesterol who were unable to tolerate statins, showed that the drug was able to meet its primary endpoints.

Reductions in levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, also known as "bad" cholesterol, were observed after 24 weeks of treatment, with Repatha performing better than an alternative comparator therapy.

The results from this trial were consistent with those observed in the 12-week phase II GAUSS-1 and phase III GAUSS-2 trials, with no new safety findings reported.

Dr Sean Harper, executive vice-president of research and development at Amgen, said: "The positive results from the GAUSS-3 study contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting Repatha as an innovative treatment option for patients who have not been able to adequately lower their LDL cholesterol through diet and statins alone."

This comes after the firm reported clinical trial results showing the effectiveness of its drug Blincyto among patients with a specific form of leukaemia earlier this week.