Amgen and UCB drug shows effectiveness in treating men with osteoporosis

Amgen and UCB have announced new clinical data demonstrating the efficacy and safety of romosozumab in male patients with osteoporosis.

Positive top-line results have emerged from the phase III BRIDGE study, showing a statistically significant increase in bone mineral density at the lumbar spine in men with osteoporosis treated with romosozumab compared with placebo at 12 months.

This meant the drug was able to meet its primary efficacy endpoint, while also fulfilling secondary goals by showing an improvement in bone mineral density.

Data from this study will be used to support future regulatory applications, and help to underline the benefits this drug can offer to men with osteoporosis, who often receive less attention than female patients.

Dr Sean Harper, executive vice-president of research and development at Amgen, said: "We are excited that these data showed romosozumab stimulates bone formation, leading to increases in bone mass, in this often overlooked and undertreated patient population."

This comes after data from the FRAME study last month showed that the drug can also reduce the risk of vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.