Solid results for Amgen, confident of denosumab OK this year

Amgen’s net income for the fourth quarter has edged up 1% to $931 million, while turnover was up 2% to $3.80 billion.

Revenues from its anaemia drug Aranesp (darbepoetin alfa) fell 8% to $648 million due to reimbursement problems and label changes, although sales of its older erythropoiesis stimulating agent, Epogen (epoetin alfa), were up 9% at $703 million, due to an increase in demand.

Combined turnover of Amgen’s white blood cell stimulators Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) and Neupogen (filgrastim) increased 2% to $1.20 billion, while sales of the anti-inflammatory Enbrel (etanercept), partnered with Pfizer’s Wyeth unit and sold by Amgen in North America, were unchanged at $912 million. Sensipar (cinacalcet), for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in dialysis patients, rose 12% to $171 million, while sales of the colorectal cancer drug Vectibix (panitumumab) were up to $66 million from $46 million.

Observers were most impressed by Amgen’s 2010 forecast as revenues are expected to be in the range of $15.1-$15.5 billion and earnings per share should reach $5.05-$5.25. The company is also confident about getting approval in the USA this year for its much-touted drug Prolia (denosumab).

Amgen said it has provided the US Food and Drug Administration with all the information the agency had requested in a complete response letter sent in October before it can approve Prolia in its postmenopausal osteoporosis indication. The company also expects to publish data this quarter on denosumab for the prevention of skeletal fractures in prostate cancer patients, and will seek US approval of the drug later this year to treat fractures in advanced cancer patients.