As Amgen Inc. gears up for its legal skirmish over Mircera, the erythropoietin stimulating agent (ESA) from F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services last week issued its edict on reimbursement for the class of drugs in oncology, including Amgen's and Epogen (epoetin alfa) and the second-generation product Aranesp (darbepoetin alfa). Both drugs are approved for anemia in cancer patients and in chronic kidney disease (CKD). (BioWorld Financial Watch)
Widespread outrage over proposed reimbursement changes for anemia drugs in oncology pushed the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to a less severe final decision, but some onlookers proved more sanguine than others about the future of Amgen Inc.'s franchise - and would-be competitors continued to line up. (BioWorld Today)
Investor jitters eased somewhat as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' plans for reimbursement of erythropoietin (EPO) stimulating agents (ESAs) became clearer, and backers of Amgen Inc. found cause for encouragement on two fronts. (BioWorld Financial Watch)
Shares of GPC Biotech Inc., partner Pharmion Corp., and licensee Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc. continued to sink Tuesday as an FDA advisory panel debated the merits of satraplatin for second-line, hormone-refractory prostate cancer, in a closely watched case that had investors nervous because of briefing papers posted last week on the agency's website. (BioWorld Today)
Amgen Inc.'s stock gained ground as investors listened to pundits give forth their opinions on federal reimbursement changes disclosed Friday for the high-selling Aranesp (darbepoetin alfa) and Epogen (epoetin alfa), when used in kidney disease. (BioWorld Today)
Geron Corp.'s steady news trickle this summer presages a stronger flow as the year goes on, and an "analyst day" last week got a hosted peek into what's ahead next year, leaving Geron watchers optimistic but reservedly so. (BioWorld Financial Watch)
