Amgen Inc. on Thursday said that its profits climbed in the first-quarter because staff reductions and other cost-cutting measures helped offset sales declines of its anemia drugs.

Amgen reported net income of $1.14 billion ($1.04 per share), up 2 percent from $1.11 billion (94 cents) in the same period a year ago.

Sales for the Thousand Oaks-based biotech fell 2 percent to $3.6 billion hurt by declining sales of its once top-selling anemia drugs, Aranesp and Epogen, which decreased in the quarter 25 percent and 11 percent, respectively. Studies have indicated that Aranesp, the newer of the two drugs, increased the risk of heart attack, stroke and death when administered at high doses.

Before the earnings announcement, Amgen shares closed down 29 cents, or less than 1 percent, to $42.40. Shares have fallen 31 percent over the past year.