Amgen 2010 Annual Report Download - page 11

have received our therapeutics surpassed 20 million.
From Nplate® (the fi rst platelet producer approved
for patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenic
purpura where no other therapeutics to increase platelet
production existed) to Prolia® (a new treatment option
for postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who
are at high risk for fracture), to all our other medicines
and ongoing research, we remain committed to delivering
therapies that can make a meaningful difference in
patients’ lives.
AMGEN 2010 ANNUAL REPORT ■ 9
Andrew, Enbrel® (etanercept)
Twenty-eight-year-old Andrew suffered
with debilitating pain, fatigue, and iritis
(infl ammation of the eye) since childhood.
As a teenager, the pain prevented him
from playing sports. By his early 20s,
he needed a cane to walk. Throughout
the years, Andrew kept researching his
condition, searching for the right doctor,
diagnosis, and treatment. Finally, two years
ago, he was diagnosed with ankylosing
spondylitis, arthritis of the spine. He began
taking ENBREL in April 2009, and within
a short period of time the debilitating pain
had diminished and he was able to walk
without a cane. “I am fi nally able to go
bowling, play tennis and football, and do
many things I could never do before,” says
the single father from Missouri. He was
even able to chaperone his son D’Angelo’s
fi eld trip to Washington, D.C., last year.
Julie, Neulasta® (pegfi lgrastim)
A gifted vocalist, Julie has sung with
music legends ranging from Ray
Charles and Elton John to Beyoncé and
Diana Ross. The grace and strength
Julie brings to her work and her life
were put to the test last year by breast
cancer. “My doctor put me on Neulasta®
right at the start of my chemo process,”
says Julie. “She said Neulasta® could
help me maintain my white blood cell
count and reduce my risk of infection
during my chemo treatments.” Now a
breast cancer survivor, Julie sang the
national anthem to kick off the 2010
LIVESTRONG Challenge in San Jose,
California. She’s back performing again
and says, “Life is good!”
Marianne, Prolia® (denosumab)
Approval of Prolia® means good news
for people like 73-year-old Marianne of
Marburg, Germany, who was diagnosed
with osteoporosis a few years ago and
who has an active lifestyle. While a
participant in one of the phase 3 trials,
Marianne received an injection of
denosumab under the skin every six
months from her doctor. Marianne says
she likes the six-month dosing. She
continues to exercise regularly, practicing
gymnastics with a local patient group,
and enjoys gardening and spending time
with her husband, Johann (shown above).