I am writing to clarify information included in your May 27 analysis "Will Wall Street's Love Affair With Biotech Continue?" [page 1].
In that article, Amgen Inc.'s 1990 earnings from recombinant erythropoietin were incorrectly stated at $800 million. In fact, this figure represents approximate worldwide sales for the product, including those for Amgen's partner, Kirin Brewery Co. Ltd., and various licensees.
In the United States, where Amgen markets recombinant erythropoietin for dialysis patients, fiscal 1990 sales for Epogen (Epoetin alfa) were $148 million. Epogen sales in fiscal 1991, ended March 31, were $305 million. Ortho Pharmaceutical Corp., Amgen's U.S. licensee, began selling Epoetin alfa for indications outside of dialysis this year.
DANIEL VAPNEK
Senior Vice President, Research
Amgen Inc.
Thousand Oaks, Calif.
