CEO of drugmaker Amgen talks new results from cholesterol drug trial

amgen CEO Bob Bradway announces promising results from the company’s latest drug hearingThe drug may reduce the risk of heart attack, he tells CNBC’s Jim Cramer.

“This trial answered questions that researchers, doctors and patients have had for some time,” Bradway said.

amgen announced Over the weekend, Phase III of the Repatha drug. It can reduce the risk of a first heart attack by 36% when taken along with standard cardiovascular treatments, the phase trial said. The trial also found that adding Repatha to standard treatments could reduce the chance of a major cardiovascular event by 25% in at-risk patients who had never had a heart attack or stroke.

Bradway told Cramer that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. He said 99 percent of people who have a heart attack have a “modifiable risk factor,” specifically their LDL cholesterol level. LDL cholesterol, or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, is referred to as “bad” cholesterol because it can build up in patients’ arteries, forming plaque and increasing the likelihood of heart problems.

Bradway said the trial showed that Repatha could significantly lower patients’ LDL cholesterol levels.

“I think this study helps people understand that lower is better when it comes to LDL cholesterol,” he said. “The sooner you get to lower levels, the better, especially for people with diabetes or people who are concerned about the risk of heart attack or stroke for other reasons.”