Amgen Inc, aiming to secure future sales of its flagship anemia drug Epogen as potential competition emerges, has reached new supply contracts with the two largest operators of U.S. kidney dialysis clinics. The biotechnology company said in a regulatory filing on Friday it signed a seven-year contract to provide DaVita Inc with at least 90 percent of the clinic operator’s anemia drug needs.

Amgen also entered into a “multi-year” agreement, starting in January, to supply Epogen on a “nonexclusive” basis to Fresenius Medical Care, according to Amgen spokeswomen Christine Regan. Fresenius has a U.S. dialysis market share of around 33 percent, while DaVita’s share is about 26 percent. Both contracts include discounts and rebates.
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