ladyandy2@aol.comnospam (it is short for

Amgn 1st in class for psoriasis and RA-Meet quite important for earnings
one analyst:
"(BUY): Amgen has reported positive findings for expanded use of Enbrel
in inflammatory diseases. Enbrel is a fully humanized, fusion protein that
binds
tissue necrosis factor (TNF), a cytokine in the inflammatory process. The
injectable drug is currently approved for use in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and
psoriatic arthritis. The data from a Phase 3 study of combination therapy of
Enbrel and methotrexate demonstrated no radiographic progression in structural
joint deterioration in 80% of patients after one year of treatment, supporting
the early use of Enbrel in the treatment of RA. In a second Phase 3 study of
Enbrel in plaque psoriasis, an auto-immune skin disease characterized by red,
scaling patches of skin, patients treated with Enbrel had significant
improvement in the Psoriasis Area Improvement Index (PASI) after 12 weeks of
treatment. Amgen plans to submit a BLA to the FDA for this additional
indication
for Enbrel. In a double blind, placebo controlled, Phase 3 study in 277
patients with ankylosing spondylitis, Enbrel treatment demonstrated a
significant reduction in back pain and stiffness and a concomitant improvement
in spinal mobility and physical function. Amgen has filed an sBLA for Enbrel in
the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis, a disease impacting 350,000 people in
the United States. We expect accelerating growth of Enbrel sales related to
these expanded indications. We reiterate our BUY rating and 12-month price
target of $84."

************
In june 23rd WSJ will feature Medicare change_ENBREL will be re-imbursed for at
home injections-This was previously the advantage of Remicade given IV in Docs
offices !
***************
http://www.amgen.com

http://www.amgen.com/news/news03/pressRelease030619_3.pdf


(NASDAQ: AMGN) and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a division of Wyeth (NYSE: WYE),
today announced that patients receiving ENBREL (etanercept) 50 mg once weekly
for the treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a new clinical study
experienced significant improvements in function and pain that were comparable
to those receiving the currently approved dose (25 mg twice weekly), and
significantly better than those receiving placebo. The data were presented at
the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Annual Congress of Rheumatology
in Lisbon, Portugal.<<<<

**************
http://www.amgen.com

http://www.amgen.com/news/news03/pressRelease030619_1.pdf


(NASDAQ: AMGN) and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a division of Wyeth (NYSE: WYE),
today announced that patients in a phase 3 clinical study assessing the
efficacy and tolerability of ENBREL? (etanercept) in the treatment of active
ankylosing spondylitis experienced significant and rapid reduction in back pain
and morning stiffness, and improvement in spinal mobility and physical
function. The data are part of a presentation at the annual meeting of European
League Against Rheumatism being held this week in Lisbon, Portugal.<<<<

********************
http://www.amgen.com

http://www.amgen.com/news/news03/pressRelease030619_2.pdf


(NASDAQ: AMGN), the world's largest biotechnology company, and Wyeth
Pharmaceuticals, a division of Wyeth (NYSE: WYE), today announced that patients
in a second phase 3 clinical study assessing the efficacy and tolerability of
ENBREL? (etanercept) in the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis
experienced significant and rapid improvement in their symptoms. The data were
presented today at the International Psoriasis Symposium in New York City.<<<<


LadyAndy

Chat live with us at >http://tinyurl.com/4ust < (this is at iVillageHealth - my
chats are on Sun evenings at 10 ET)

Joint Replacement Board at
http://boards.ivillagehealth.com/cgi-bin/boards/bhivhjointreplace

caroline marold

Hey Harv -- I see some good news in your future.
Duckie


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irish376@webtv.net

I wasn't able to find any reference to the above. If anyone found it,
would you kindly post?

Thanks!
Mary

harvey r. stone

Ya know,,,,, that would be almost too good to expect it to be true as
the months of my insurance coverage for Enbrel are closing out at the
end of the year. I know the senator or congressman from Washington has
been pushing that for a couple of years. Wouldn't that be something...
Harv

irish376@webtv.net

Harv,
The Access to Innovation for Medicare Patients Act of 2003 (S.465) was
introduced in the Senate today. I caught just the last few minutes on
C-Span. They are pushing to get coverage of self-injectable biologics
immediately, not waiting for comprehensive reform of Medicare. I'm in
the same situation as you will be -- no more prescription coverage --
and would love to see this bill passed. It now has the backing of many
senators. However, I don't see it getting through as being effective
immediately when it is being included as an amendment to S.1. As a
matter of fact, I don't see it getting through at any time -- do they
ever pass bills that would save the government money? Mary