amgen CEO Bob Bradway detailed the promising results from the company’s recent drug trials, telling CNBC’s Jim Cramer that the drug can reduce the risk of heart attacks.
“This trial answers a long-standing question for researchers, physicians and patients,” Bradway said.
Amgen announced over the weekend that a Phase III trial of its drug Repatha could reduce the risk of a first heart attack by 36% when used in conjunction with standard cardiovascular therapy. The trial also found that adding Repatha to standard treatment could reduce the chance of a major cardiovascular event by 25% in at-risk patients who had never had a heart attack or stroke.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, Bradway told Kramer. He said 99% of people who suffer from a heart attack have “modifiable risk factors”, particularly LDL cholesterol levels. LDL cholesterol, or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, is called “bad” cholesterol because it can build up in a patient’s arteries, forming plaques and increasing the likelihood of heart disease.
Bradway said this study suggests that Repatha can meaningfully lower LDL cholesterol levels in patients.
“I think this study will help people understand that when it comes to LDL cholesterol, lower is better,” he said. “The sooner we reach lower levels, the better, especially for people who have diabetes or are worried about their risk of heart attack or stroke for other reasons.”
