Strong Numbers Ignite Amgen

Worldwide sales of Aranesp were up 36% to $837 million in the second quarter, and sales of Epogen reached $647 million, up 2%. Combined global sales of Neulasta and Neupogen were $899 million, an increase of 25%. Enbrel sales rose 45% to $639 million.

On a conference call after the earnings release, Amgen said that in the latter half of the year its revenue growth rate would probably slow and its operating expenses would increase.

Amgen executives said the results from a trial for the cancer drug panitumumab are scheduled to be out at the end of the third quarter. Additionally, the company said it enrolled more than 10,000 patients in trials for AMG-162, a treatment for postmenopausal osteoarthritis.

Another product in the company's pipeline is AMG-706 for thyroid cancer, for which Amgen has received fast track designation. Data for dose-ranging studies are due out next year.

The company also said it received $30 million after Genentech terminated an agreement to produce Enbrel. However, Amgen said it has adequate capacity to produce the drug on its own.

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