New data on Amgen's Prolia and Merck & Co's odanacatib presented at ASBMR meeting

Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN), the world’s largest biotech firm, has presented data from several Prolia (denosumab) studies, including data from the open-label extension study of the pivotal Phase III fracture trial, which showed continued increases in bone mineral density (BMD) and low fracture incidence over six years.

These data, and those from several key studies, were presented at the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) 2012 Annual Meeting which took place in Minneapolis from October 12-15, 2012. Prolia is the first approved therapy that specifically targets RANK Ligand, an essential regulator of osteoclasts (the cells that break down bone), said Amgen.

"The data presented provide additional insight into the long-term clinical profile of Prolia," said Sean Harper, executive vice president of R&D at Amgen. "Given the increasing burden of osteoporosis in an aging population, it is important to see that continued Prolia therapy may provide ongoing benefit," he noted.