Amgen Osteoporosis Drug Passes Test

Amgen Inc. of Thousand Oaks and UCB Pharma of Brussels announced Sunday that a study on the effects of romosozumab in treating men with osteoporosis produced positive results. The Phase 3 study, known as the BRIDGE study, showed that the men taking the bone-forming antibody called romosozumab had an increase in bone mineral density at the lumbar spine, femoral neck and total hip over a 12-month period. Romosozumab is owned by UCB Pharma, but the company has a partnership with Amgen to develop the drug. Amgen already has the osteoporosis drug Prolia on the market. “While the focus of managing osteoporosis is often on women, osteoporosis in men is also a serious health issue that poses a significant health risk to millions of men worldwide,” Dr. Sean E. Harper, executive vice president of research and development at Amgen, said in a statement. “We are excited that these data showed romosozumab stimulates bone formation, leading to increases in bone mass, in this often overlooked and undertreated patient population.” The study comprised of 245 men, who were randomized to receive 210 mg of romosozumab or a placebo every month for 12 months. Further analyses of the Phase 3 study are still underway. Amgen Inc. shares closed up $1.50, or 1 percent, to $147.01 on the Nasdaq.