Amgen Discontinues MGDF Platelet Donation Trials.THOUSAND OAKS Thousand Oaks, residential city (1990 pop. 104,352), Ventura co., S Calif., in a farm area; inc. 1964. Avocados, citrus, vegetables, strawberries, and nursery products are grown. , Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 18, 1998--Amgen (Nasdaq:AMGN) Tuesday reported that it has discontinued platelet donation clinical trials including a multi-dose trial of its megakaryocyte megakaryocyte /mega·karyo·cyte/ (-sit?) the giant cell of bone marrow containing a greatly lobulated nucleus, from which mature blood platelets originate.megakaryocyt´ic meg·a·kar·y·o·cyte n. growth and development factor (PEG-rHuMGDF) following the development of thrombocytopenia Thrombocytopenia Definition Thrombocytopenia is an abnormal drop in the number of blood cells involved in forming blood clots. These cells are called platelets. (low platelet counts) and neutralizing antibodies. Neutralizing antibodies are antibodies which cross-react with natural protein and hinder that protein's effects. PEG-rHuMGDF was being investigated in the platelet donation setting to explore whether the administration of the protein to volunteer donors would improve the yield and efficiency of platelet collections. Platelets are essential elements of the blood clotting blood clotting, process by which the blood coagulates to form solid masses, or clots. In minor injuries, small oval bodies called platelets, or thrombocytes, tend to collect and form plugs in blood vessel openings. mechanism. Clinical trials of PEG-rHuMGDF continue in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, including a phase 3 study of patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation Bone Marrow Transplantation Definition The bone marrow—the sponge-like tissue found in the center of certain bones—contains stem cells that are the precursors of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. . Low levels of platelets are a complication of cancer chemotherapy. Chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia often delays or prevents further cancer therapy. Amgen is a global biotechnology company that discovers, develops, manufactures and markets cost-effective human therapeutics based on advances in cellular and molecular biology molecular biology, scientific study of the molecular basis of life processes, including cellular respiration, excretion, and reproduction. The term molecular biology was coined in 1938 by Warren Weaver, then director of the natural sciences program at the Rockefeller . EDITOR'S NOTE: An electronic version of this news release may be accessed via the company's Web site at www.Amgen.com. Visit the Corporate Center and click on Amgen News. Journalists and media representatives may sign up to receive all news releases electronically at time of announcement by filling out a short form in the Amgen News section of the Web site.
CONTACT: Amgen, Thousand Oaks
David Kaye, 805/447-6692 (media)
Denise Powell, 805/447-4346 (investors)
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