Amgen Awarded U.S. Patent: The Thousand Oaks...

Amgen Awarded U.S. Patent: The Thousand Oaks company received the patent for a biotechnology drug that triggers production of white blood cells and helps the body fight off bacterial infections. The drug, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, or G-CSF, is being tested in humans. Later this year, the firm expects to seek permission from the Food and Drug Administration to sell the drug. G-CSF appears to be a promising treatment for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy who suffer a higher risk of infection.