A Look into Amgen’s Collaborations in 2H17
Products under the Kirin–Amgen joint venture include Epogen, Neulasta, Aranesp, Nplate, and Neupogen.
Jan. 18 2018, Updated 10:30 a.m. ET
Collaboration with Novartis
In November 2017, Amgen (AMGN) and Novartis (NVS) announced an extended collaboration with the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute (or BAI) for initiating a new trial—the Alzheimer’s Prevention Initiative Generation Study 2. Amgen and Novartis’s agreement originated in 2015 when the two companies collaborated for the development and commercialization of novel therapies in the area of migraine and Alzheimer’s disease.
The Alzheimer’s Prevention Initiative Generation Study 2 would evaluate whether the investigational BACE1 inhibitor CNP520 can prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease symptoms in a high-risk population.
In August 2017, the Generation 2 trial started recruiting participants in the US and is expected to include more than 180 sites in more than 20 countries.
The expansion of the collaboration is expected to bolster Amgen’s and Novartis’s research and development capabilities and launch novel drugs in the marketplace.
Kirin–Amgen collaboration
In October 2017, Amgen and Kirin Holdings agreed that Kirin–Amgen, a joint venture between the two companies, would convert Kirin Holdings’ shares in the joint venture and that Kirin–Amgen would become a wholly owned subsidiary of Amgen.
Products under the Kirin–Amgen joint venture include Epogen, Neulasta, Aranesp, Nplate, and Neupogen.
Collaboration with CytomX Therapeutics
In October 2017, Amgen entered into a collaboration agreement with CytomX Therapeutics (CTMX) for jointly developing a CytomX Probody T-cell engaging bispecific against the EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor), which is a validated oncology target manifested on multiple human cancer types.
According to the agreement, Amgen and CytomX would jointly develop a Probody T-cell engaging bispecific against EGFR. CytomX would lead the early stages of development while Amgen would lead later development and commercialization. The worldwide late-stage development costs would be shared between Amgen and CytomX Therapeutics.
The PowerShares Dynamic Pharmaceuticals Portfolio ETF (PJP) invests ~5.1% and ~5.0% of its total portfolio holdings in Amgen and AbbVie (ABBV), respectively.
