AMAG Downplays Generics' Threat to Feraheme

LEXINGTON, Mass. (TheStreet) --AMAG Pharmaceuticals(AMAG Quote) struck a cautious but optimistic tone Wednesday night about the nascent commercial launch of its intravenous iron replacement therapy Feraheme.

Meantime, AMAG CEO Brian Pereira quickly shot down concerns about the looming entry of a low-priced generic competitor during the question-and-answer portion of the company's second-quarter conference call.

AMAG began selling Feraheme on July 13, so the company did not report any sales Wednesday night. The drug, given in two, 17-second injections about a week apart, is used by doctors to correct anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease.

"I am pleased to announce that AMAG received reports of patients being treated with Feraheme within days of commercial availability," said AMAG's commercial operations chief, Tim Healey.

Kidney dialysis chains, where kidney dialysis patients are treated, are beginning pilot programs with Feraheme that often lead to full adoption of the drug, added Healey. The company is also marketing Feraheme to doctors who treat pre-dialysis kidney disease patients.

Given the early launch, however, AMAG declined to offer any specifics about the adoption of Feraheme at the major U.S. dialysis providers, notably Davita(DVA Quote) and Fresenius(FMA Quote), nor did the company provide 2009 Feraheme sales guidance.

Wednesday's second-quarter report from AMAG was somewhat co-opted by a surprise announcement Tuesday that Watson Pharmaceuticals(WPI Quote) had licensed a generic version of the currently marketed iron replacement therapy Ferrlecit from a privately held drugmaker.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is reviewing the generic version of Ferrlecit, and Watson said it would immediately launch the drug if and when it was approved. Watson sells branded Ferrlecit today under a contract from Sanofi-Aventis(SNY Quote) but that arrangement is set to expire at the end of the year.