Award-Winning Actress Blythe Danner and Amgen Launch Act 2 Reduce Fractures(TM) Educational Campaign

Campaign Educates and Encourages Women With Postmenopausal Osteoporosis at Increased Risk for Fractures to Take Action to Help Strengthen Their Bones

News provided by

Amgen

Aug 26, 2011, 02:34 ET

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., Aug. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Emmy® and Tony® award-winning actress Blythe Danner and Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) today launch Act 2 Reduce Fractures™, an educational campaign for women with postmenopausal osteoporosis at increased risk for fractures. Earlier this year, Danner was diagnosed with postmenopausal osteoporosis at increased risk for fractures and wants to encourage women like her to educate themselves, take action and speak to their doctors to learn all they can about helping to strengthen their bones. The campaign is being supported by American Bone Health, the Global Healthy Living Foundation and the Older Women's League.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please visit: http://multiview.prnewswire.com/mnr/amgen/48052/.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110825/MM53603 )

"When I was diagnosed with postmenopausal osteoporosis at increased risk for fractures, I started to worry about how breaking a bone could impact my ability to do the things that are most important to me such as continuing to act, being a mother to my children and even more importantly, being an active grandmother," said Danner. "So I've been working with my doctor on a plan to help strengthen my bones, and I hope my participation in this campaign will motivate women like me to do the same."

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a silent disease, and it usually has no symptoms until a fracture happens, which can be a life-changing event. There are medical and lifestyle factors that can place a woman with postmenopausal osteoporosis at an increased risk for fractures. A list of these factors can be found at www.Act2ReduceFractures.com.

Nearly 10 years ago, Danner’s husband of 33 years, Bruce Paltrow, passed away. Before his passing, he was busy with film projects. Danner recalls that he didn't make taking care of himself a priority at the time. “The life lesson I learned from this is that there is nothing more important than taking care of oneself,” said Danner. “I hope by sharing my personal story about having this disease that women like me will speak to their doctors about what they can do to help strengthen their bones.”

"One in two women over age 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in her lifetime," said Kathleen Cody, executive director, American Bone Health. "And many women don't proactively work with their doctors to help manage the disease and understand the factors that may increase their risk for fractures. Our goal is to encourage women with postmenopausal osteoporosis at increased risk for fractures to take action and speak to their doctors to learn all they can about helping to strengthen their bones.”

"What I'm working on with my doctor is a plan that includes exercising, eating right and taking a medicine called Prolia® along with calcium and vitamin D," said Danner. "Every woman is different, and I encourage women to work with their doctors on a plan that is right for them."

About Blythe Danner

Danner has won two Emmy awards, received a Golden Globe® nomination and accepted a Tony award for her Broadway debut in "Butterflies Are Free." Her film roles include "Alice," "The Great Santini" and "Meet the Parents." Danner is the mother of son, Jake, and daughter, Gwyneth Paltrow. Among all of the characters Danner has portrayed, her most treasured role is being a grandmother (or as she prefers being called, "Lalo") to her two grandchildren.

About Prolia® (denosumab)

Prolia is the first approved therapy that specifically targets RANK Ligand, an essential regulator of osteoclasts (the cells that break down bone).

Prolia is approved in the United States (U.S.) for the treatment of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis at high risk for fracture, defined as a history of osteoporotic fracture, or multiple risk factors for fracture; or patients who have failed or are intolerant to other available osteoporosis therapy.

Prolia is administered as a single subcutaneous injection of 60mg once every six months. For further information on Prolia, including the full prescribing information and medication guide, please visit: www.prolia.com.

Important U.S. Safety Information

Prolia is contraindicated in patients with hypocalcemia. Pre-existing hypocalcemia must be corrected prior to initiating Prolia. Hypocalcemia may worsen, especially in patients with severe renal impairment. All patients should be adequately supplemented with calcium and vitamin D. Patients receiving Prolia should not receive XGEVA®, as both Prolia and XGEVA contain the same active ingredient, denosumab.

In the Phase 3 pivotal study, serious infections leading to hospitalizations were reported more frequently in the Prolia-treated patient group. Serious skin infections, as well as infections of the abdomen, urinary tract and ear, were more frequent in patients treated with Prolia. Patients should be advised to seek prompt medical attention if they develop signs or symptoms of severe infection, including cellulitis. Endocarditis was reported more frequently in the Prolia-treated patient group. Epidermal and dermal adverse events such as dermatitis, rashes, and eczema have been reported. Discontinuation of Prolia should be considered if severe symptoms develop.

Prolia resulted in significant suppression of bone remodeling. The significance of these findings is unknown. The long-term consequences of the degree of suppression of bone remodeling observed with Prolia may contribute to adverse outcomes such as osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ), atypical fractures, and delayed fracture healing. ONJ has been reported in patients with Prolia. Patients should be monitored for these adverse outcomes. The most common adverse reactions (> 5 percent and more common than placebo) were back pain, pain in extremity, musculoskeletal pain, hypercholesterolemia, and cystitis. Pancreatitis has also been reported with Prolia.

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, bone disease 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. Follow us on www.twitter.com/amgen.

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