This article is part of the Arthritis Archives.
Dateline: December 3, 2002
Enbrel Availability: The Wait Now Over
Amgen and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals (a division of Wyeth) issued a press release on December 2, 2002, packed with good news for thousands of people who have been perched on a waiting list for the biologic drug, Enbrel (generic name etanercept). An anti-TNF therapy, Enbrel is:
- Approved to reduce the signs and symptoms and inhibit progression of structural damage in patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis.
- Approved for use to reduce the signs and symptoms of active arthritis in patients with psoriatic arthritis.
- The only biologic therapy approved to treat newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis patients.
- Approved to reduce the signs and symptoms of moderately to severely active polyarticular-course juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in patients 4 years of age or older who have had an inadequate response to one or more DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs).
Enbrel Prospective Patient List
Over the past 8 weeks, Enbrel has been offered to more than 40,000 patients whose names were on the Enbrel Prospective Patient List with rheumatic conditions including:
These patients and their physicians are being notified that the wait is over and that they can now order Enbrel.
According to Kevin Young, vice president and general manager of Amgen's Inflammation Business Unit, the reason for the large-scale offering of Enbrel to patients is "improved efficiencies at the current Enbrel manufacturing facility." The "improved efficiencies" occurred after Amgen paid over $10 billion to buy Enbrel maker Immunex, in the largest ever biotech merger. Amgen completed its acquisition of Immunex Corporation on July 15, 2002.
Over the past four years, 129,000 patients have been treated with Enbrel. In 2001, sales of Enbrel reportedly amounted to $762 million. Sales were hampered by the company's inability to produce enough of the drug to meet the demand.
Though no more patients remain on a waiting list for Enbrel, the Enbrel Enrollment Program will remain in effect to help current patients obtain the drug. Patients can enroll by calling 1-888-4ENBREL.
Amgen also is in the process of gaining FDA approval for a new manufacturing facility in Rhode Island which could conceivably double the available supply of Enbrel.
Related Resources
Sources: Enbrel Offered to Additional 40,000 Rheumatoid Arthritis, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis and Psoriatic Arthritis Patients, PRNewswire, December 2, 2002; Amgen raises supply of Enbrel, cuts wait list, Reuters, December 2, 2002
First published: 12/03/2002
