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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITY EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of report September 12, 1997
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NPS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
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(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Delaware
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(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
0-23272 87-0439579
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(Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
420 Chipeta Way, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108-1256
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(801) 583-4939
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(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
N/A
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(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
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ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS.
On September 11, 1997, NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the "Company")
announced that Amgen Inc. ("Amgen") will update its strategy for the ongoing
development of the Company's novel drugs, referred to as "calcimimetics" for
treating primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism. The press release
announcing the update is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
c. Exhibits
99.1 Press Release dated September 11, 1997 and titled "Amgen
and NPS to Update Calcimimetics Development Plan."
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
NPS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Date: September 12, 1997 /s/ JAMES U. JENSEN
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James U. Jensen, Vice President
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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Sequentially
Exhibit Number Description Numbered Page
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99.1 Press Release dated September 11, 1997 and titled "Amgen
and NPS to Update Calcimimetics Development Plan."
3
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EXHIBIT 99.1
Press Release dated September 11, 1997 and
titled "Amgen and NPS to Update Calcimimetics
Development Plans" attached
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AMGEN AND NPS TO UPDATE CALCIMIMETICS DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Salt Lake City, Utah (September 11, 1997) -- At a Healthcare Meeting in
New York, Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN) will update its strategy for the ongoing
development of NPS Pharmaceuticals' (Nasdaq: NPSP) novel drugs, referred to
as "calcimimetics" for treating primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism
(HPT). In 1995, Amgen and NPS entered into an agreement for Amgen to develop
and commercialize calcimimetic compounds based on NPS's proprietary
technology. As a result of research and development experience to date, Amgen
plans to elevate the calcimimetic program to a higher level of priority and
also plans to start clinical trials with a second generation compound by the
end of the first quarter of 1998.
A Phase II study in patients with secondary HPT is currently ongoing. An
interim analysis of this Phase II study showed that the first compound tested
in humans, R-568, rapidly lowers parathyroid hormone levels to target ranges
in dialysis patients with secondary HPT. The first of the calcimimetic class
of compounds (R-568) is metabolized predominantly by polymorphic liver
enzymes and has low bioavailability. This results in variability in blood
levels of the drug. Preclinical testing suggests that second generation
compounds will successfully address the concerns of polymorphism and low
bioavailability of R-568.
Kevin Sharer, President and COO of Amgen, commented on the development
of calcimimetic compounds at Amgen by saying, "We are pleased that the
current trial of R-568 has demonstrated proof of concept for controlling
parathyroid hormone levels with these compounds. Calcimimetics are becoming
an increasingly important part of our pipeline."
Dr. Hunter Jackson, Chairman, CEO and President of NPS, stated: "The
clinical performance of R-568 supports the usefulness of calcimimetic drugs
in treating a complex disease in a patient population with serious health
challenges. We are also pleased that Amgen expects to pursue an aggressive
clinical development program in both primary and secondary HPT."
NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a development-stage enterprise, is engaged in
the discovery and development of small molecule drugs that target cell
surface receptors and ion channels. The Company is pursuing treatments for
central nervous system disorders, including pain, and brain damage from
stroke or head trauma. NPS is also developing novel therapeutics for
osteoporosis in connection with its corporate partner, SmithKline Beecham,
and therapies for hyperparathyroidism with licensees, Amgen and the
Pharmaceutical Division of Kirin Brewery in Tokyo.
Amgen is a global biotechnology company that discovers, develops,
manufactures and markets human therapeutics based on advances in cellular and
molecular biology.
NOTE: STATEMENTS INCLUDED WITHIN THIS PRESS RELEASE WHICH ARE NOT
HISTORICAL IN NATURE CONSTITUTE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS FOR THE PURPOSES
OF THE SAFE HARBOR PROVIDED BY THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT
OF 1995. EDITORS AND INVESTORS ARE CAUTIONED THAT SUCH STATEMENTS INVOLVE
RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES THAT COULD CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY
FROM THOSE DESCRIBED HEREIN. CAREFUL CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO
CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS MADE IN AMGEN AND NPS DOCUMENTS RECENTLY FILED WITH THE
SEC, IN PARTICULAR THEIR RESPECTIVE ANNUAL REPORTS ON FORM 10-K.
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