Analyst Conference Summary

Amgen
AMGN

conference date: April 24, 2008 @ 2:00 PM Pacific Time
for quarter ending: March 31, 2008 (1st quarter)


Forward-looking statements

Overview: Revenue stagnation continues, but good sequential earnings growth. Arenesp and Epogen sales continue to decline.

Basic data:

Revenue was $3.61 billion, down sequentially 4% from $3.75 billion and down 2% from $3.69 billion year-earlier.

Net income was $1.14 billion, up 37% sequentially from $835 million, and up 3% from $1.11 billion year-earlier.

EPS (earnings per share) were $1.04, up 37% sequentially from $0.76 and up 11% from $0.94 year-earlier.

Guidance:

2008 revenue of $14.2 billion to $14.6 billion. Non-GAAP EPS guidance range of $4.00 to $4.30.

Conference Highlights:

"Though first quarter product sales were mixed, based on current trends and expectations, we are confident that revenues for the year will be within our previously announced guidance," said Kevin Sharer, chairman and CEO.

Total product sales were $3.54 billion, flat from year-earlier. U.S. sales were $2.79 billion, international sales $0.75 billion.

Q1 revenues in $ millions
Drug
2008
2007
Aranesp
$761
$1,020
Epogen
554
625
Neulasta
756
719
Neupogen
330
299
Enbrel
951
730
Sensipar
133
105
Vectibix
34
51
Other
18
16
Q4 revenues in $ millions
Drug
2007
2006
Aranesp
$827
$1106
Epogen
638
661
Neulasta
784
711
Neupogen
334
313
Enbrel
856
792
Sensipar
128
98
Vectibix
33
39
Other
18
17

Non-GAAP numbers: EPS $1.12, net income $1.22 billion. Stock option expense was $0.02 per share and other items were related to restructuring and acquisitions.

Capital expenditures were reduced to $170 million from $325 million year-earlier. Cash and marketable securities were $8.6 billion, offset by debts of $11.2 billion.

PDUFA (FDA ruling deadline) date is July 23, 2008 for Nplate for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in adult patients with chronic immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). "The denosumab program remains on track with three Phase 3 studies having met primary and all secondary endpoints." Updates were also given for drugs at earlier stages in its pipeline.

R&D costs declined in Q1, but expect to spend the same total in 2008 as in 2007. SG&A went up after a restructuring because the Wyeth profit share is in SG&A. Again, less the Wyeth payments, 2008 total should be same as 2007 total.

Believes Arenesp sequential decline is misleading because of inventory buildup and other issues in Q4 2007 and reversing drawdown in Q1. ESA questions still unresolved, but more data became available in March. Epogen also had inventory issues, but labeling changes were made in January. Patient growth in 2008 believed to be offset by decline in dosage given.

Q&A:

Arenesp weekly sales? 4% decline in q1, April has been consistent with Q1 so far.

Biosimilar competition? Believe Arenesp is a premium product. When prices go lower, we respond to maintain the current premium. So a 9% drop in price with maintenance of market share in Germany.

Phase III prostate cancer SRE study is be enlarged in order to get the study done sooner, not because we expect the data to be week.

Gross margin upward driver? Decrease in volume on Arenesp.

Given first quarter sales trends, we don't see how you can hit your 2008 EPS range? Enbrel demand is not going down, confident in 14% increase over year. Sensipar, Neulasta, and Neupogen will drive us to guidance. Arenesp expected to be affected by new label, but that will take some time. We have experience projecting sales and let revenues lead expenses. But we appreciate a one-quarter snapshot may not make this obvious.

Denosumab safety concerns? Looking at totality of data, over 18,000 patients, there is no concern with infections. The infections that were ruled out were of types that physicians were confident were not due to denosumab. Same with malignancy.

Is more aggressive pricing possible? Typically in Europe you are not allowed to have price increases. We see no reason to increase U.S. prices except for inflation.

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Disclaimer: Our analyst summaries may include both our condensations of statements made by company representatives and our own analysis. They are not covered by any warranty. We cannot guarantee anything said by company representatives is true. We try not to make errors, but it is possible. Before making or terminating an investment you should always verify any factual basis of your decision.

Copyright 2007 William P. Meyers