Amgen Finds Osteoporosis-Fighting Protein

Amgen Inc. said it has discovered a protein that regulates bone mass, a finding that could lead to the first drug developed from research into the human genome. Scientists from Thousand Oaks-based Amgen found that mice lacking the protein, known as osteoprotegerin, or OPG, have an excess number of cells that absorb bone. As a result, the mice have low bone mass and density--leading to osteoporosis. The mice also had hardening of the arteries, a disease commonly linked to osteoporosis. The findings suggest OPG could play a role in both diseases, Amgen researchers said. Amgen researchers found that the protein prevents the activation of osteoclasts, cells that absorb bone. Amgen stock fell 88 cents to close at $57.25 on Nasdaq.