THOUSAND OAKS, California and LONDON, United Kingdom—Amgen and GlaxoSmithKline will share commercialization of Amgen's monoclonal antibody denosumab for postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Mexico once the product is approved in these countries. Amgen will commercialize the drug for osteoporosis and oncology in the United States (US) and Canada and for all oncology indications in Europe and specified markets.

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) gets denosumab for all indications in countries where Amgen does not currently have a commercial presence, including China, Brazil, India, and South Korea.

GSK will pay Amgen $120 million in an initial payment, near-term commercial milestones, and ongoing royalties. In Europe, Amgen and GlaxoSmithKline will share profits after expenses.

"Our collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline will help Amgen bring the promise of denosumab to patients in Europe and other parts of the world more effectively than if we commercialized the drug globally on our own," said Amgen CEO Kevin Sharer. "Amgen and GlaxoSmithKline together are uniquely positioned to help medical providers and patients understand the clinical promise and economic value of denosumab."

Denosumab is the first late-stage investigational therapy that specifically inhibits RANK Ligand, an essential mediator of the cells that break down bone. Amgen has submitted marketing applications for denosumab in the United States, European Union, Canada, Switzerland, and Australia.