Biotech giant Amgen Inc. on Sunday said that a new clinical research has found its cancer drug Kyprolis more efficient in treating relapsed multiple myeloma than its major rival Velcade.
In a press release, the drug maker said that a latest study has established its cancer medication Kyprolis twice effective than Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. and Johnson & Johnson’s drug Velcade.
The cancer patients treated with Kyprolis following the onset of multiple myeloma second time were found living twice as long as those getting treatment with Velcade, according to the news release.
Calling the clinical trial’s findings as a ‘very big deal’, Sean E. Harper, Amgen executive vice president of research and development, said, “Velcade is an enormous, blockbuster product. It’s the only drug in its class. And now we’ve come in with something we’re saying is a better drug.”
The latest trial showed that the patients who were treated with Kyprolis lived 18.7 months without facing any further deterioration in their health conditions as compared to 9.4 months among patients who were treated with Velcade.
In 2013, Amgen entered into an acquisition deal with Kyprolis as part of a purchase agreement of Onyx Pharmaceuticals Inc. for whopping USD 10-billion. The high potential in Kyprolis motivated Amgen to strike an acquisition deal.
In 2014, Kyprolis had earned nearly USD 330 million in sales, which is approximately one-tenth of Velcade’s about USD 3 billion.
Johnson & Johnson could not be reached immediately for comment.
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