Amgen, Pfizer, and World-Class Professional Golfer Phil Mickelson Announce Partnership

Collaboration Aims to Empower Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis to Seek Care

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Nov 06, 2010, 05:00 ET

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., and COLLEGEVILLE, Pa., Nov. 6, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Amgen Inc. (Nasdaq: AMGN), Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) and world-class professional golfer Phil Mickelson, have entered into a partnership to share Phil's experience with his diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis and treatment with Enbrel® (etanercept), and to encourage patients with similar symptoms to visit their doctor for proper assessment and care.

"This partnership with Amgen and Pfizer is important because being a psoriatic arthritis patient has motivated me to share my story," said Phil Mickelson. "I hope to encourage other patients to work with their doctors, learn about their condition and take action so that they have an opportunity to get back to some of the things that matter most to them."

Psoriatic arthritis is a form of arthritis caused by an overactive immune system that can affect not only the body's joints but also the skin. Approximately 600,000 Americans may have psoriatic arthritis. The main joint symptoms of psoriatic arthritis are pain, stiffness and swelling. Rheumatoid arthritis patients experience similar symptoms, however there are important differences between the two conditions, making it important to see a doctor.

Amgen and Pfizer were inspired by Mickelson's approach to managing his condition and by his continued drive to maintain his health. Those same qualities have kept him on top of the competitive world of golf and this is why the companies are excited to be partnering with him. Amgen and Pfizer believe his perseverance in the face of adversity will encourage patients to also work with their doctors to manage their condition and help them get back on course.

Further details and timing of future partnership initiatives will be announced in 2011.

About ENBREL

ENBREL is a soluble form of a fully human tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor with a clinical efficacy and safety profile established over 18 years of collective clinical experience. ENBREL was first approved in 1998 for moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. ENBREL was approved in 2002 to treat psoriatic arthritis, and later approved for the treatment of patients with ankylosing spondylitis in 2003, and in 2004 to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults. Prescription ENBREL is given by injection.

ENBREL indications in the U.S.:

ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms, keeping joint damage from getting worse, and improving physical function in patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. ENBREL can be taken with methotrexate or used alone.
ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms, keeping joint damage from getting worse, and improving physical function in patients with psoriatic arthritis. ENBREL can be used in combination with methotrexate in patients who do not respond adequately to methotrexate alone.
ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis.
ENBREL is indicated for the treatment of adult patients (18 years or older) with chronic moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about ENBREL?

ENBREL is a medicine that affects your immune system. ENBREL can lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections. Serious infections have happened in patients taking ENBREL. These infections include tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by viruses, fungi, or bacteria that have spread throughout the body. Some patients have died from these infections. Your doctor should test you for TB before you take ENBREL and monitor you closely for TB before, during, and after ENBREL treatment, even if you have tested negative for TB.

There have been some cases of unusual cancers reported in children and teenage patients who started using tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers before 18 years of age. Also, for children, teenagers, and adults taking TNF blockers, including ENBREL, the chances of getting lymphoma or other cancers may increase. Patients with RA or psoriasis may be more likely to get lymphoma.

Before starting ENBREL, tell your doctor if you:

Have any existing medical conditions
Are taking any medicines, including herbals
Think you have, are being treated for, have signs of, or are prone to infection. You should not start taking ENBREL if you have any kind of infection, unless your doctor says it is okay
Have any open cuts or sores
Have diabetes or an immune system problem
Have TB or have been in close contact with someone who has had TB
Were born in, lived in, or traveled to countries where there is more risk for getting TB. Ask your doctor if you are not sure
Live or have lived in certain parts of the country (such as, the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys, or the Southwest) where there is a greater risk for certain kinds of fungal infections, such as histoplasmosis. These infections may develop or become more severe if you take ENBREL. If you don't know if histoplasmosis or other fungal infections are common in the areas where you live or have lived, ask your doctor
Have or have had hepatitis B
Have heart failure
Develop symptoms such as persistent fever, bruising, bleeding, or paleness while taking ENBREL
Use the medicine Kineret® (anakinra), Orenciaa (abatacept), or Cytoxan® (cyclophosphamide)
Are taking anti-diabetic medicines
Have or develop a serious nervous disorder, seizures, any numbness or tingling, or a disease that affects your nervous system such as multiple sclerosis or Guillain-Barre syndrome
Are scheduled to have surgery
Have recently received or are scheduled for any vaccines. All vaccines should be brought up-to-date before starting ENBREL. Patients taking ENBREL should not receive live vaccines.
Are allergic to rubber or latex
Are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
Have been around someone with chicken pox

What are the possible side effects of ENBREL?

ENBREL can cause serious side effects including: Infections, including serious infections like TB; hepatitis B can become active if you already have had it; nervous system problems, such as multiple sclerosis, seizures, or inflammation of the nerves of the eyes; blood problems (some fatal); new or worsening heart failure; new or worsening psoriasis; allergic reactions; autoimmune reactions, including a lupus-like syndrome and autoimmune hepatitis.

Common side effects include: Injection site reactions, upper respiratory infections (sinus infections), and headache.

These are not all the side effects with ENBREL. Tell your doctor about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.

If you have any questions about this information, be sure to discuss them with your doctor. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see the Enbrel Prescribing Information and Medication Guide available at www.enbrel.com

About Phil Mickelson

Following brilliant amateur and collegiate careers that included victories in the 1990 U.S. Amateur, three NCAA Individual championships and the 1991 Northern Telecom Open on the PGA Tour, Phil Mickelson joined the Tour in 1992. With his four major championship titles and 35 Tour wins he ranks 11th on the all-time Tour winners list. Off the course, he is deeply involved with the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy, which annually gives hundreds of teachers innovative ways to inspire their young students in math and science. He and his wife, Amy, also annually host Start Smart, which hosts 1,500 San Diego County elementary school children on a back-to-school shopping experience.

About Amgen

Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures and delivers innovative human therapeutics. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen was one of the first companies to realize the new science's promise by bringing safe and effective medicines from lab, to manufacturing plant, to patient. Amgen therapeutics have changed the practice of medicine, helping millions of people around the world in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people's lives. To learn more about our pioneering science and our vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com.

About Pfizer

Pfizer Inc: Working together for a healthier world™

At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to improve health and well-being at every stage of life. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacturing of medicines for people and animals. Our diversified global health care portfolio includes human and animal biologic and small molecule medicines and vaccines, as well as nutritional products and many of the world's best-known consumer products. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as the world's leading biopharmaceutical company, we also collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 150 years, Pfizer has worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. To learn more about our commitments, please visit www.pfizer.com