"We are very pleased to be honored by our industry peers with these two awards," said Roger M. Perlmutter, M.D., Ph.D., executive vice president of Research and Development at Amgen. "Over the past decade, we have worked very hard to develop a robust pipeline that focuses on novel therapeutics to treat serious illnesses."

With more than 50 molecules in development, the majority of which target pathways that have not previously been addressed in humans, Amgen's pipeline includes potential new treatments for various cancers, asthma, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and many other life-threatening conditions. One of the most promising candidates in Amgen's pipeline, denosumab, is an in-house discovery that reflects a novel approach to treating bone loss and destruction. Amgen has filed for regulatory approval of denosumab in postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) and bone loss due to hormone ablation in breast and prostate cancer patients in the United States (U.S.), Europe, Switzerland, Canada and Australia.

Nplate won the Best New Drug honor because of its novel mode of action and its focus on an unmet medical need. Nplate is indicated for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), under specific conditions that are further described below.

Chronic ITP is a serious autoimmune disorder characterized by low platelet counts in the blood (thrombocytopenia), which can lead to serious bleeding events. Nplate is the first platelet producer approved in both the U.S. and European Union (EU), and works by raising and sustaining platelet counts, representing a unique approach for the long-term treatment of this chronic disease.

The annual Scrip Awards are independently judged by a panel of senior industry experts and are given to biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies for their contribution to the improvement of health care. Amgen was one of the biggest winners among the dozen companies honored at the 2009 awards event for "outstanding achievements in the field of drug development," according to Scrip's press release.

About Nplate
Nplate was the first platelet producer approved in the EU, Canada, Australia, Russia and the U.S. for chronic ITP. Nplate also has received orphan designation for chronic ITP in the U.S. (2003), the EU (2005), Switzerland (2005) and Japan (2006).

Nplate is the first treatment specifically developed for chronic ITP. It is also being investigated for potential use in pediatric ITP, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia (CIT).

In the U.S., Nplate is indicated for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic ITP who have had an insufficient response to corticosteroids, immunoglobulins or splenectomy. Nplate should be used only in patients with ITP whose degree of thrombocytopenia and clinical condition increases the risk for bleeding. Nplate should not be used in an attempt to normalize platelet counts.

In Europe, Nplate is indicated for the treatment of splenectomised adult chronic ITP patients who are refractory to other treatments (e.g. corticosteroids, immunoglobulins). Nplate may be considered as a second-line treatment for adult non-splenectomised ITP patients for whom surgery is contra-indicated.

About Denosumab
In February 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted the Biologic License Applications (BLA), submitted by Amgen for Prolia(TM) (denosumab) for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and treatment and prevention of bone loss in women and men receiving hormone therapy for either breast cancer or prostate cancer. On October 2009, the FDA issued Complete Response Letters for the BLA application for denosumab requesting additional information needed to complete the review of the applications for approval, including updated safety data. The FDA also requested a new clinical program to support approval of denosumab for the prevention of PMO and additional adequate and well-controlled clinical trials demonstrating the denosumab has no detrimental effects on either time-to disease progression or overall survival for cancer treatment-induced bone loss (in breast cancer and prostate cancer patients).

Denosumab is the first fully human monoclonal antibody in late stage clinical development that specifically targets RANK Ligand, an essential regulator of osteoclasts (the cells that break down bone). Denosumab is being investigated for its potential to inhibit all stages of osteoclast activity through a targeted mechanism. It is being studied in a range of other bone loss conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer treatment-induced bone loss (in breast cancer and prostate cancer patients), as well as for its potential to delay bone metastases and inhibit and treat bone destruction across many stages of cancer.

About Amgen
Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures and delivers innovative human therapeutics. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen was one of the first companies to realize the new science's promise by bringing safe and effective medicines from lab, to manufacturing plant, to patient. Amgen therapeutics have changed the practice of medicine, helping millions of people around the world in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people's lives. To learn more about our pioneering science and our vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com.