Press Release Details

Early Research Suggests that Understanding the Fundamental Mechanism of Angiogenesis is More Complicated Than Understanding the Function of VEGF - A

Amgen Launches Angiogenesis Website

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., April 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN) today announced that results from several preclinical studies investigating potential new cancer agents will be presented at the 2009 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting in Denver between April 18-22, 2009.

Data will be presented on investigational compounds AMG 386, a peptibody that binds to and inhibits angiopoietins 1 and 2; AMG 479, a fully human monoclonal antibody antagonist of the type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R) and AMG 102, a fully human monoclonal antibody antagonist of HGF, the ligand for the c-Met receptor.

"The data being presented at this meeting further our biologic understanding of these novel compounds and pathways, and inform our thinking regarding opportunities to develop predictive or prognostic biomarkers," said C. Glenn Begley, M.D., vice president, Global Hematology and Oncology Research at Amgen. "This is an exciting year for our oncology therapeutics pipeline, as results from a number of clinical programs become available."

Selected Abstracts of Interest
-- Assessment of angiogenesis inhibitors in the retinopathy of prematurity model in mice
Overview: Examined the inhibition of the VEGF/VEGFR pathway with AMG
273 and the inhibition of the angiopoietin/Tie2 pathway with AMG 386
Lead author: Estrada J.
Abstract No. 140 (Sunday, April 19, 2009, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm)

-- Involvement of the CSF-1/CSF-1R interaction in the control of angiogenesis
Overview: Two different neutralizing rat anti murine CSF-1R monoclonal
antibodies (mAb), M279 and AFS98 were evaluated for their effect on
mouse corneal angiogenesis and corneal macrophage recruitment in vivo
Lead author: Liu H.
Abstract No. 1106 (Sunday, April 19, 2009, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm)

-- Complementary and opposing effects of angiopoietin-1 and angiopoietin-2 inhibitors on tumor blood vessels and normalization
Overview: Aimed to elucidate the effects of Angiopoietin (Ang) 1 and Ang2 on the tumor vasculature of a human colon carcinoma model (Colo205) using peptide-Fc fusion proteins (peptibodies) specifically targeting Ang1 (mL4-3) or Ang2 (L1-7(N)) alone or in combination
Lead author: Falcon B.
Abstract No. 1996 (Monday, April 20, 2009, 9:40 am - 9:55 am)

-- AMG 479, a novel IGF-1R antibody, inhibits endometrial cancer cell proliferation through disruption of the P13K/Akt and MAPK pathways Overview: Evaluated the effect of a novel antibody to the IGF-1R (AMG 479) on cell proliferation and expression of key targets involved in
IGF-1R signaling in endometrial cancer cells Lead author: Mendivil A.
Abstract No. 2804 (Monday, April 20, 2009, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm)

-- AMG 479, a fully human anti-IGF-1R monoclonal antibody, inhibits rapamycin-induced Akt activation in sarcoma cell lines
Overview: Evaluated whether AMG 479 could inhibit this feedback-loop mechanism and thus increase the efficacy of rapamycin and its analogs (mTOR inhibitors).
Lead author: Beltran P.
Abstract No. 2805 (Monday, April 20, 2009, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm)

-- Dual targeting of the receptor tyrosine kinase EGFRvIII and HGF:c-Met signaling in models of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM)
Overview: Examined the effect of combining a fully human neutralizing antibody targeting the HGF:c-Met axis (AMG 102), with a fully human antibody binding to the EGFR and EGFRvIII (panitumumab) to overcome resistance to HGF:c-Met based therapeutic strategies in GBM
Lead author: Johns T.
Abstract No. 2044 (Monday, April 20, 2009, 1:10 pm - 1:25 pm)

-- Antagonistic antibodies to c-fms block c-fms-mediated activities, reduce tumor-associated macrophages and decrease tumor growth in preclinical models
Overview: Antagonistic antibodies to c-fms were evaluated for their effects on monocytic cell function in vitro and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and tumor growth in vivo
Lead author: Bonham L.
Abstract No. 2077 (Monday, April 20, 2009, 3:40 pm - 3:55 pm)

-- Erythropoietin Receptor (EpoR) Was Expressed at Low to Undetectable Levels in Tumor Cell Lines: Expression Was Not Regulated by Hypoxia and No Epo-Induced Downstream Signaling Was Detectable
Overview: EpoR, mRNA and protein expression were surveyed in 67 tumor-derived cell lines from ovary, breast, head and neck, lung, brain, prostate, cervix, liver, colon and blood
Lead author: Swift S.
Abstract No. 4283 (Tuesday, April 21, 2009, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm)

Amgen Launches Educational Interactive Angiogenesis Website

Amgen would like to invite healthcare professionals to visit http://angiogenesis.amgen.com, where the science of angiogenesis comes to life. Angiogenesis, a fundamental mechanism in normal development and cancer, involves multiple cellular regulators that include the angiopoietins, the VEGF family and other regulators. Amgen has developed an interactive website that will provide users with a cinematic experience through which to view the process of tumor vessel growth.

About Amgen

Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures and delivers innovative human therapeutics. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen was one of the first companies to realize the new science's promise by bringing safe and effective medicines from lab, to manufacturing plant, to patient. Amgen therapeutics have changed the practice of medicine, helping millions of people around the world in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people's lives. To learn more about our pioneering science and our vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

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Contacts:
Amgen, Thousand Oaks
Christine Regan, 805-447-5476 (media)
Arvind Sood, 805-447-1060 (investors)

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SOURCE Amgen