Amylin says it will be able to supply adequate quantities of Byetta by Q3

By Jennifer Lanning Drey

Eugene, Ore., June 23 - Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc. expects to be able to be able to supply adequate quantities of the cartridge used to administer Byetta (exenatide) by the third quarter, said Dr. Berthold Lensker, director of European operations for the company, at the Piper Jaffray London Health Care Conference on Friday.

Amylin announced last week that demand for Byetta could outpace the company's capability to support the market with a sufficient number of cartridges.

"The demand is so fantastic that Byetta now, one year after launch, is the fifth most prescribed drug for the new treatment of type 2 diabetes," said Lensker Friday.

The company has asked some physicians to reduce patient introduction to Byetta, Lensker said Friday.

More than 35,000 physicians have prescribed Byetta since its launch in June 2005.

"The demand is rising," Lensker said.

Amylin also said Friday that demand for Symlin (pramlintide acetate), its other first-in-class diabetes treatment, could increase substantially if a more convenient pen delivery system is approved.

The company is on track to submit a supplemental New Drug Application for a disposable pen delivery system by mid-2006.

"That could increase the market dramatically," Lensker said.

Amylin is also studying Symlin for weight loss in its late-stage obesity program.

Amylin is a biopharmaceutical company based in San Diego.

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