Drug Evaluation: AMG-531 for the Treatment of Thrombocytopenias

Amgen Inc is developing AMG-531, a peptibody that binds to the thrombopoietin receptor Mpl, for the potential treatment of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia (CIT) and thrombocytopenia in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Results of the US phase III trial in ITP are expected to be available in the second half of 2006, while a phase II trial in CIT is still underway. A Japanese phase II ITP study has been initiated, as has a phase II trial of MDS patients in the US and France.