Amgen's Rathmann Award Recognizes Groundbreaking Work on Repatha for High Cholesterol Treatment

Amgen has awarded its George B. Rathmann Award for Scientific Excellence to Simon Jackson and Chadwick King for their groundbreaking work on the development of Repatha, a treatment for high LDL cholesterol. Their research revealed PCSK9's critical function in binding to LDL receptors on liver cells and marking them for destruction. Repatha has been prescribed to 4.5 million patients worldwide and is indicated to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with established cardiovascular disease.

Amgen, a global biotechnology leader renowned for its innovative medicines, recently recognized two of its scientists, Simon Jackson and Chadwick King, with the prestigious George B. Rathmann Award for Scientific Excellence [1]. This esteemed accolade is bestowed upon Amgen employees for their exceptional contributions to the development of groundbreaking new medicines that transform the lives of seriously ill patients.

The duo's groundbreaking work centered around Repatha, a treatment for high LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol. Their research unveiled the critical role of PCSK9 in binding to LDL receptors on liver cells and marking them for destruction [2]. This discovery paved the way for Repatha's development, which has been prescribed to over 4.5 million patients worldwide and is indicated to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with established cardiovascular disease.

PCSK9 inhibitors, such as Repatha, represent a significant breakthrough in the field of cardiovascular disease treatment. Prior to their development, the primary treatment options for managing high LDL cholesterol were statins and other cholesterol-lowering medications, which often came with unwanted side effects and limited efficacy for certain patients.

The work of Jackson and King on Repatha exemplifies Amgen's unwavering commitment to scientific innovation. Their research not only advances the understanding of the underlying mechanisms of cardiovascular disease but also provides a new and effective treatment option for millions of patients worldwide.

The George B. Rathmann Award for Scientific Excellence is named after Amgen's first CEO, George Rathmann, a pioneer in the business of biotechnology. This award is a testament to Rathmann's vision and Amgen's ongoing commitment to pushing the boundaries of science to transform patient lives.

References:
[1] Amgen. (2023, January 17). Amgen's Highest Honor Awarded to Peter Kufer for Bite Technology. https://www.amgen.com/stories/2023/01/amgens-highest-honor-awarded-to-peter-kufer-for-bite-technology
[2] Amgen. (n.d.). Biotechnologie amgen – Peter Kufer erhält Georg-B. Rathmann Award. https://www.amgen.de/stories/597/biotechnologie-amgen-peter-kufer-erhaelt-georg-b-rathmann-award/