Phase III trial success for Amgen's Aranesp

Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN) has announced a successful end to its randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase III Aranesp (darbepoetin alfa) ARCADE trial.

The company said the trial had met its primary goal of reducing the incidence of red blood cell transfusions in anemic patients with low and intermediate-1 risk MDS at the end of the blinded 25-week study period.

Aranesp, already a blockbuster drug for Amgen with 2015 sales of $1.95 billion, also significantly improved erythroid response, a key measure of the formation of new red blood cells. Detailed results will be submitted to a future medical conference and for publication.