Amgen's cancer trove

The next two years could see Amgen Inc. more than doubling its Phase III pipeline for cancer, which today includes just two unapproved molecules - denosumab and motesanib - plus new indications for Vectibix panitumumab. In addition to highly anticipated Phase III data for denosumab in bone metastases and Vectibix panitumumab in first- and second-line metastatic colorectal cancer, this year Amgen also will get the first readouts from five compounds in its Phase II cancer pipeline.

Even accounting for the likelihood that some of the trials will fail, Amgen expects to be in the happy position of having more promising programs on its hands than it will be able to take into Phase III, VP of Global Development for Hematology/Oncology David Chang told BioCentury (see "Pipeline Proliferation," A14) ...