The U.S. may be the largest drug market in the world, but the European Union isn't too shabby. Amgen
On Friday, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) recommended approval of the drug. Now Amgen just needs to wait until final approval by the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) before it can start negotiating with government-sponsored health plans.
Unlike in the U.S., where GlaxoSmithKline
Amgen won't capture all of the ITP patients in Europe, estimated at 50,000. Its label is for second-line use. Patients who are stable on steroids or Genentech
Nplate isn't likely to become the next Enbrel for Amgen, given the small population it treats, but if Amgen can get it approved to treat other indications like myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) -- another blood-cell-production problem -- it has a shot at hitting blockbuster status. Heading to Europe is a big step toward getting to that $1-billion-per-year threshold.
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