Amgen Migraine Preventive Drug gets FDA Approval

The Food and Drug Administration has approved Amgen’s drug Aimovig for the prevention of migraines.

This is the very first drug to prevent migraine headaches in adults. It works with interfering with calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), which is involved in the processes that kick off a migraine, such as dilation of blood vessels in the brain.

The drug, which is given by a monthly self injection, has a list price of $6,900 per year, or $575 a month.

The company is marketing the drug in partnership with Novartis and according to Amgen, the price “reflects the value it brings to patients and society.”

Amgen spokeswoman Kristen Davis said that any discounts or rebates will depend on negotiations with health plans.

According to Thomson Reuters, analysts on average are forecasting the annual sales of the drug of nearly $1 billion by 2022.

Disclaimer: We have no position in Amgen, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMGN) and have not been compensated for this article.