Core Insights - Amgen has launched its cholesterol medication, Repatha, directly to consumers in the U.S. at a reduced cash price [2] - This initiative is part of a broader response from pharmaceutical companies to political pressure [2] Company Actions - The launch of Repatha directly to consumers indicates a shift in Amgen's marketing strategy [2] - The reduced cash price aims to make the medication more accessible to patients [2] Industry Context - The move reflects a trend among pharmaceutical companies to address public and political concerns regarding drug pricing [2] - This action may influence competitive dynamics within the cholesterol medication market [2]

Group 1 - The biotechnology company has launched a new direct-to-patient program called AmgenNow, which initially focuses on its drug Repatha [1]

Amgen joins drugmakers offering discounts to cash-paying patients after Trump’s call to cut prices https://t.co/OtfyomPkAP ...

Core Insights - Amgen has initiated direct-to-consumer sales of its cholesterol medication Repatha in the U.S. at a discounted cash price, responding to political pressure regarding drug pricing [1] Group 1: Company Actions - The launch of Repatha for direct consumer sales marks a strategic move by Amgen to enhance accessibility and affordability of its medication [1] - The discounted cash price indicates Amgen's effort to align with ongoing discussions about drug pricing reform in the U.S. [1] Group 2: Industry Context - Amgen's decision reflects a broader trend among pharmaceutical companies to adapt to political and public pressure regarding high drug prices [1] - The move may influence competitive dynamics within the cholesterol medication market, as other companies may need to respond similarly to maintain market share [1]

Core Insights - Amgen has launched a new direct-to-patient program called AmgenNow, offering Repatha at a monthly price of $239, which is nearly 60% lower than the current U.S. list price [2][3] - The program aims to support patients, including those uninsured or with high-deductible health plans, making it easier for them to access Repatha, which has shown significant clinical benefits in reducing major adverse cardiovascular events [1][2] - Repatha is a PCSK9 inhibitor that has been studied for 15 years in over 50 clinical trials involving more than 57,000 patients, demonstrating its effectiveness in lowering LDL cholesterol levels [3][4] Pricing and Accessibility - The AmgenNow program is available to all Repatha patients, including those on government programs like Medicare and Medicaid, and does not require prior authorization or step therapy from insurers [2][3] - The new pricing structure positions Repatha as the lowest-priced option among economically developed G-7 countries, reflecting Amgen's commitment to making medications more accessible [2][3] Clinical Background - Repatha works by inhibiting PCSK9, which allows for increased recycling of LDL receptors, thereby lowering LDL cholesterol levels in the blood [3] - The drug is approved in over 74 countries, including the U.S., Japan, Canada, and all EU member states, with applications pending in other regions [4] Indications and Safety Information - Repatha is indicated for adults and pediatric patients aged 10 years and older with specific types of hypercholesterolemia, and it is used as an adjunct to diet and exercise [7] - Important safety information includes contraindications for patients with a history of serious hypersensitivity reactions to evolocumab, and common adverse reactions reported include nasopharyngitis and upper respiratory tract infections [6][8]

Core Viewpoint - Amgen's stock presents an attractive long-term investment opportunity despite recent share price declines and upcoming patent cliffs [1][2]. Group 1: Promising Drug Developments - Amgen is developing MariTide, a weight management drug that has shown a mean weight loss of up to 20% over 52 weeks, with a favorable monthly dosing schedule [4][5]. - The anti-obesity market is rapidly growing, and MariTide could generate sales of up to $3.7 billion by 2030, helping Amgen offset losses from patent expirations [6]. - Amgen has a robust pipeline with several ongoing programs, including bemarituzumab, which has shown promising results in a phase 3 study for metastatic gastric cancer [7][8]. Group 2: Recent Product Launches - Amgen's recent product approvals, such as Imdelltra for lung cancer, Tezspire for asthma, and Uplizna for rare diseases, are expected to contribute to top-line growth [9][10]. Group 3: Financial Strength and Dividends - Amgen has a strong dividend track record, having increased its dividend by 201.3% over the past decade, with a current yield of 3.5% [11][12]. - The company's cash payout ratio of 46.5% provides room for further dividend increases, making it an attractive option for investors seeking income [12][13]. Group 4: Valuation - Amgen's shares are considered reasonably valued, with a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 12.6, lower than the healthcare industry average of 16.4 [14][15]. - The market may be pricing in upcoming patent losses, but long-term investors could benefit from potential revenue and earnings growth as new products are launched [15].

Core Viewpoint - Amgen Inc. shares are currently trading at $299.82, reflecting a 0.82% increase, with a monthly rise of 5.71% but a yearly decline of 5.55, raising questions about potential undervaluation despite current performance [1] Group 1: Stock Performance - Amgen's current share price is $299.82, with a recent increase of 0.82% [1] - Over the past month, the stock has appreciated by 5.71%, while it has decreased by 5.55% over the past year [1] Group 2: P/E Ratio Analysis - The P/E ratio is a critical metric for evaluating Amgen's market performance, currently standing at 24.32, which is lower than the biotechnology industry's average P/E ratio of 30.41 [5][6] - A lower P/E ratio may suggest that Amgen is undervalued compared to its peers, but it could also indicate weaker growth prospects or financial instability [6][9] Group 3: Investment Considerations - Investors should use the P/E ratio cautiously, as it is just one of many metrics to assess a company's financial health and should be considered alongside other financial ratios and qualitative factors [9]

Let's get stop trading with Jim. One thing that some people may have missed came out yesterday was that Amgen had a landmark study that went very well for Rapatha uh lowering cholesterol and therefore do you know helping people's hearts even if you don't have cholesterol. Now I'm on this uh Rapatha because my doctor is basically part of this trial and just said look there's no level of cholesterol that's good.uh they're also they're not doing a study on this but people feel that reduces plaque but I think t ...

Group 1 - Amgen's recent study on Rapatha demonstrated significant effectiveness in lowering cholesterol, which is beneficial for heart health, even in patients without high cholesterol levels [1][2] - Rapatha is noted for its high cost but is recognized for its efficacy in reducing the risk of heart attacks by managing bad cholesterol levels [2] - The VANC Pharma ETF has experienced its best week since 2009, indicating positive market sentiment towards pharmaceutical stocks [2] Group 2 - There is clarity regarding the Pfizer deal, with Amgen pricing its drugs competitively, which aligns with the administration's goals [3] - The administration's stance appears to have shifted, indicating that the pharmaceutical industry is not viewed as an adversary, which may lead to more favorable conditions for drug pricing [3]

Core Insights - The Phase 3 VESALIUS-CV clinical trial demonstrated that Repatha significantly reduces the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in high-risk patients without a prior history of heart attack or stroke, establishing it as the first and only PCSK9 inhibitor to show such results for both primary and secondary prevention [1][2][4]. Clinical Trial Details - The VESALIUS-CV trial enrolled over 12,000 high-risk patients, with approximately 85% on high-intensity or moderate LDL-C lowering therapy, and followed them for a median of about 4.5 years [1][8][9]. - The primary endpoints included the time to first occurrence of a composite of coronary heart disease (CHD) death, heart attack, or ischemic stroke, and the results were both statistically and clinically significant, with no new safety signals observed [3][4]. Implications for Cardiovascular Disease Management - The results highlight Repatha's potential as a cornerstone therapy in lipid management, particularly for patients at high cardiovascular risk who have not yet experienced a heart attack or stroke [4][10]. - Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death globally, and high LDL-C is a modifiable risk factor; however, over 80% of high-risk patients without prior events were not at recommended LDL-C levels after one year of follow-up [2][5]. Regulatory and Market Context - Repatha has been used by over 6.7 million patients globally since its approval in 2015, and the FDA has broadened its approved use to include adults at increased risk for major adverse cardiovascular events due to uncontrolled LDL-C [6][12]. - The full results from the VESALIUS-CV trial will be presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions on November 8, and will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal [4].