ENBREL OK'D FOR PSORIASIS.

Byline: Evan Pondel Staff Writer

THOUSAND OAKS - Amgen Inc.'s Enbrel received approval from U.S. regulators Friday to treat psoriasis, a disfiguring skin disease that affects millions of Americans.

The move enables Amgen to broaden injectable Enbrel's label, which had already been approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. The Thousand Oaks biotechnology giant added Enbrel to its portfolio when the company acquired Immunex in 2002.

``Psoriasis is a huge market and a huge untapped opportunity for Amgen,'' said Andrea Rothschild, a spokeswoman for the company. ``The approval gives us the ability to go to the dermatologists' offices and start talking about what this drug can do.''

Enbrel's efficacy isn't new to Dr. Paul Yamauchi, a Santa Monica-based dermatologist. He has been recommending its off-label use to treat psoriasis for years. ``That's because it's convenient for patients to use at home. All around it's more practical,'' he said.

Many of Enbrel's rivals require doctors and nurses to administer the drug. But Yamauchi said patients can inject Enbrel on their own, usually once a week.

The drug's competitors include Johnson & Johnson's Remicade, Genentech's Raptiva and Biogen Inc.'s Amevive.

Enbrel coupled with its blockbuster brethren Aranesp continue to produce for Amgen's bottom line. In Amgen's most recent quarter, Enbrel sales rose by about 45 percent versus the arthritis fighter's performance last year. Aranesp sales jumped more than 100 percent in U.S. and international markets.

``Enbrel's approval to treat psoriasis is just as big as its approval to treat rheumatoid arthritis,'' Rothschild said.

Amgen shares declined $1.71, or 2.9 percent, to close at $56.41 Friday on the Nasdaq market.

Evan Pondel, [phone]

evan.pondel(at)dailynews.com