NEW YORK (AP) — Amgen and AstraZeneca said that some patients who took an experimental psoriasis drug experienced suicidal thoughts or behavior, and Amgen said it is ending development of the drug.
Amgen was in charge of studying brodalumab, a potential treatment for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis and two other inflammatory diseases, psoriatic arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis. Amgen said use of brodalumab would be heavily restricted because of the reports of suicidal thoughts and behavior. As a result, the company said it will focus on other drugs.
AstraZeneca said it will review data from the clinical trial before it decides whether to continue developing the drug.
Amgen and AstraZeneca agreed in 2012 to work together to develop and potentially market five experimental antibody drugs Amgen had been working on.
AstraZeneca PLC shares were unchanged in aftermarket trading. Amgen Inc. shares rose 34 cents to $163.92.