Amgen expects generic biologics
Executive Summary
"Generic biologics will happen and I think we'll see them in Europe first," Amgen CEO Kevin Sharer told investors Feb. 25. The exec noted that generic biologics are "profoundly different" from conventional generic drugs, citing the need to conduct clinical trials and the larger required investment in manufacturing facilities as examples. Sharer expects that Amgen's Epogen (epoetin alfa) in Europe would be the company's first product to face generic competition; however, the CEO said, "from our patent lives here in the U.S. and for the newer products in Europe, it's a long way out for us"...