Amgen reports positive data from Kyprolis trial

Amgen has announced that its new multiple myeloma drug Kyprolis has met its primary endpoint in a phase III clinical trial.

The company and its subsidiary Onyx Pharmaceuticals have evaluated the drug in the clinical study Aspire, which utilised Kyprolis in combination with Revlimid and low-dose dexamethasone among patients with relapsed multiple myeloma.

It was found that Kyprolis patients lived significantly longer without their disease worsening compared to those treated with Revlimid and low-dose dexamethasone alone. Safety data was also shown to be in line with previous findings.

Results from this trial will form the basis for regulatory submissions throughout the world, beginning in the first half of 2015.

Robert Bradway, chairman and chief executive officer of Amgen, said: "Our mission at Amgen is to serve patients by advancing medicines that address serious disease. Kyprolis is an important building block in our robust, differentiated pipeline."

This comes after the firm last month reported positive data from a phase III study evaluating its drug AMG 416 in the treatment of conditions relating to chronic kidney disease.