Amgen Inc.

Amgen Inc.

Company type	Public
Industry	Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals
Founded	1980 (1980)
Founders	George Rathmann, Gordon Binder, William K. Bowes Jr.
Headquarters	Thousand Oaks, California , United States
Key people	Robert A. Bradway (Chairman & CEO)
Products	Neulasta, Enbrel, Prolia, Xgeva, Otezla, Aranesp, EVENITY, KYPROLIS, Repatha
Website	www.amgen.com

Amgen Inc. is an American multinational biotechnology company headquartered in Thousand Oaks, California. Founded in 1980, Amgen was one of the first biotechnology companies to become highly successful, pioneering the development and manufacturing of therapeutic proteins. The company focuses on areas of high unmet medical need and leverages its biologics manufacturing expertise to strive for solutions that improve health outcomes and dramatically improve people's lives.

History

Amgen was founded in 1980 by George Rathmann, Gordon Binder, and William K. Bowes Jr., with the aim of harnessing the power of recombinant DNA technology for therapeutic purposes. The company's name, originally Applied Molecular Genetics, was soon shortened to Amgen. It quickly became a leader in the biotech industry, with the development of Erythropoietin (EPO) for anemia associated with chronic kidney failure as one of its first major successes.

Products

Amgen's product portfolio includes a wide range of treatments for oncology, kidney disease, bone disease, cardiovascular disease, and inflammatory diseases. Notable products include:

• Neulasta, a pegylated form of filgrastim used to decrease the incidence of infection in patients with non-myeloid cancer.
• Enbrel, a tumor necrosis factor inhibitor used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases.
• Prolia and Xgeva, both targeting the RANKL pathway to treat and prevent various bone-related conditions.
• Otezla, for the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
• Aranesp, a synthetic form of erythropoietin for the treatment of anemia associated with chronic renal failure.

Research and Development

Amgen's commitment to research and development (R&D) is evident in its extensive pipeline of potential new therapies, including treatments for cancer, cardiovascular disease, and inflammatory diseases. The company invests heavily in R&D to discover and develop innovative medicines that address serious illnesses.

Corporate Responsibility

Amgen is dedicated to ethical business practices and corporate responsibility. It focuses on environmental sustainability, ethical conduct, and community engagement. The company's philanthropic efforts include supporting science education and patient advocacy programs.

Controversies

Like many pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, Amgen has faced its share of controversies, including legal challenges and ethical debates over drug pricing and access to treatments. However, the company continues to work towards addressing these challenges through various initiatives and programs.

See Also

• Biotechnology
• Pharmaceutical industry
• Therapeutic proteins