Pharma firm Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) confirmed that its Phase III test of Aranesp successfully reduced red blood cell transfusions in anemic patients.
The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial showed the treatment for anemia associated with chronic renal failure worked over a 25-week study period.
Aranesp also significantly improved erythroid response, a key measure of the formation of new red blood cells, the company said.
Anemia is a condition in which there is a deficiency of red cells or of haemoglobin in the blood, resulting in tiredness and a lack of energy.
The trial was conducted on anemic patients with a low to intermediate risk of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a blood disorder that causes a drop in healthy blood cells.
MDS occurs when immature blood cells do not mature in the bone marrow and patients have fewer healthy white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets, increasing the risk of infection, anemia or bleeding.
Sean Harper, executive vice president of research and development at Amgen, said: “We are pleased to see positive results from this study, as anemia treatment options for myelodysplastic syndrome are limited and can place a significant burden on patients.”