Amgen reports positive data from new Kyprolis drug trial

Amgen has announced positive results from a planned interim analysis of a phase III trial of Kyprolis, its new treatment for multiple myeloma.

Data from the head-to-head Endeavor clinical trial, which evaluated Kyprolis for injection in combination with low-dose dexamethasone versus an established alternative, demonstrated that Amgen's new drug met the primary endpoint of progression-free survival.

Patients with relapsed multiple myeloma treated with Kyprolis lived twice as long without their disease worsening, demonstrating statistically and clinically significant superiority over the rival product.

The Kyprolis combination also demonstrated superiority in terms of the secondary objectives of higher overall response rate and lower neuropathic events. These findings reinforce those seen in the previous Aspire study.

Robert Bradway, chairman and chief executive officer at Amgen, said: "We are excited about the results with Kyprolis in the Endeavor and Aspire studies and the potential positive impact for patients with relapsed multiple myeloma."

The European Medicines Agency recently accepted the marketing authorisation application for Kyprolis. It holds orphan drug designation in both the US and Europe.