Amgen Submits Marketing Authorization Application For Novel Intravenous Calcimimetic Etelcalcetide (AMG 416) To The European Medicines Agency

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., Sept. 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) today announced the submission of a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) via the centralized procedure for etelcalcetide (formerly AMG 416) for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in adult patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on hemodialysis therapy. If approved, etelcalcetide will be the first calcimimetic agent that can be administered intravenously.

Etelcalcetide is a novel calcimimetic agent that suppresses the secretion of parathyroid hormone and is in clinical development for the treatment of SHPT in patients with CKD on hemodialysis. Etelcalcetide is administered intravenously three times per week at the end of each dialysis session. It acts by binding to and activating the calcium-sensing receptor on the parathyroid gland, thereby causing decreases in parathyroid hormone (PTH). Sustained elevations in PTH are known to be associated with significant clinical consequences for patients with CKD.

"Secondary hyperparathyroidism affects many of the approximately two million people throughout the world on dialysis, yet there is currently no calcimimetic that can be administered intravenously at the end of scheduled dialysis sessions. Given that these patients take an average of 19 pills daily, there is an opportunity to improve their treatment as it relates to the administration of the therapy," said Sean E. Harper, M.D., executive vice president of Research and Development at Amgen. "Etelcalcetide has the potential to fill this unmet need, and we look forward to working with regulatory authorities in hopes of providing a new treatment option that could help improve the complex management of the disease."

The MAA submission for etelcalcetide includes data from three Phase 3 studies, all of which met their primary endpoints, including two pooled placebo-controlled trials in more than 1,000 patients and a head-to-head study evaluating etelcalcetide compared with cinacalcet.

About Secondary Hyperparathyroidism (SHPT)
SHPT is a common and serious condition that is often progressive among patients with CKD, and it affects many of the approximately two million people throughout the world who are receiving dialysis, including approximately 350,000 people in Europe. The disorder develops early in the course of CKD and usually manifests as increased levels of PTH as a result of increased production from the parathyroid glands (four small glands in the neck). Patients with end stage renal disease who require maintenance dialysis often have substantial elevations of PTH that are commonly associated with abnormal calcium and phosphorus and an increased risk of significant clinical consequences.

About Etelcalcetide
Etelcalcetide is a novel calcimimetic agent in clinical development for the treatment of SHPT in CKD patients on hemodialysis that is administered intravenously at the end of the dialysis session. Etelcalcetide binds to and activates the calcium-sensing receptor on the parathyroid gland, thereby decreasing PTH levels.

About Mimpara^® (cinacalcet)
Mimpara^® (cinacalcet) is the first oral calcimimetic agent approved by the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of SHPT in patients with CKD on dialysis. The therapy is also approved in the EU for the treatment of hypercalcemia in patients with parathyroid carcinoma and hypercalcemia in adult patients with primary HPT for whom parathyroidectomy would be indicated on the basis of serum calcium levels (as defined by relevant treatment guidelines), but in whom parathyroidectomy is not clinically appropriate or is contraindicated. Mimpara binds to the calcium-sensing receptor, resulting in a drop in PTH levels by inhibiting PTH synthesis and secretion. In addition, the reductions in PTH lower serum calcium and phosphorus levels.

Important Safety Information
Mimpara lowers serum calcium; therefore, it is important that patients are carefully monitored for the occurrence of hypocalcaemia. Mimpara should not be initiated if serum calcium (corrected for albumin) is less than the lower limit of the normal range. The threshold for seizures is lowered by significant reductions in serum calcium levels. In the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism the most commonly reported adverse reactions in clinical trials were nausea and vomiting.

To see the full Mimpara Safety Information, visit www.ema.europa.eu/ema/

About Amgen
Amgen is committed to unlocking the potential of biology for patients suffering from serious illnesses by discovering, developing, manufacturing and delivering innovative human therapeutics. This approach begins by using tools like advanced human genetics to unravel the complexities of disease and understand the fundamentals of human biology.

Amgen focuses on areas of high unmet medical need and leverages its biologics manufacturing expertise to strive for solutions that improve health outcomes and dramatically improve people's lives. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen has grown to be one of the world's leading independent biotechnology companies, has reached millions of patients around the world and is developing a pipeline of medicines with breakaway potential.

For more information, visit www.amgen.com and follow us on www.twitter.com/amgen.

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CONTACT: Amgen, Thousand Oaks
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