Amgen updates on Prolia in postmenopausal osteoporosis

USA-based Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN) has released results from a new exploratory analysis of the open-label extension study of the pivotal Phase III fracture trial, which found that treatment with Prolia (denosumab) for eight years enabled a substantial proportion of women with osteoporosis to achieve non-osteoporotic T-scores (>-2.5) at the lumbar spine and total hip from baseline.

Additional Prolia data of interest are detailed below. Prolia is the first approved therapy that specifically targets RANK Ligand, an essential regulator of bone-removing cells (osteoclasts). The data were presented at the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) 2014 Annual Meeting in Houston, which concluded yesterday.

"One of the main effects of untreated postmenopausal osteoporosis is increased risk of fractures, which can have significant impact on a patient's life," said Sean Harper, executive vice president of R&D at Amgen, the world’s largest independent biotech firm.