Amgen Inc. (AMGN) said tests of its bone drug denosumab showed reduction in risk of developing multiple skeletal linked events by 23 per cent when compared with Novartis AG's (NVS) Zometa in patients with advanced breast cancer.

Denosumab also deferred the time to the first such events, including fracture, radiation and surgery on bones.

Phase III trials' results were presented at the 2009 CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in Texas and some were presented in Germany in September.

Associate professor of medicine at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center in Tucson Dr Alison Stopeck, said, "Skeletal complications from bone metastases are a critical health concern for patients with advanced breast cancer and can increase the risk of mortality."

It was noticed in an international, phase 3, randomized, double-blind study in the treatment of bone metastases in 2,046 patients that when compared with Zometa, which was marketed by pharmaceutical giant Novartis AG (NVS: News), denosumab condensed the mean annual skeletal morbidity rate, the ratio of the number of skeletal problems.

In October, Amgen said the Food and Drug Administration declined to approve the drug saying it wants more safety information coming from additional clinical trials.