Amgen [AMGN: NASDAQ]
Harnessing the Best of Biology and Technology

Amgen Inc. is one of the world's largest biotechnology companies, playing a critical role in shaping the future of healthcare through groundbreaking research, innovative therapies, and a strong commercial presence.

Founded in 1980, the company has built a reputation for its leadership in biologics, commitment to scientific excellence, and its ability to develop and commercialize transformative treatments for serious diseases. With a strong pipeline, strategic acquisitions, and a focus on cutting-edge research areas like oncology, cardiovascular diseases, and biosimilars, Amgen is wellpositioned as a leader in the highly competitive biotech space.

Amgen has established itself as a powerhouse in biotechnology through its focus on biologics—therapies derived from living organisms that have revolutionized treatment approaches for various diseases. The company's early successes include the development of Epogen (epoetin alfa) and Neupogen (filgrastim), which transformed the treatment of anemia and neutropenia, respectively. These pioneering therapies laid the foundation for Amgen’s dominance in biologics.

Today, Amgen continues to push the boundaries of innovation with a pipeline rich in monoclonal antibodies, cell and gene therapies, and precision medicines. The company’s research efforts are backed by a robust R&D budget, which exceeded $4.1 billion in 2022, highlighting its commitment to advancing biotechnology and improving patient outcomes.

"We like to say at Amgen, 'innovate or die'," says Amgen CEO Robert Bradway. “We believe we can earn a return on our R&D investments when we're able to generate innovative new molecules that have a very big effect size for the patients who use them, and where the unmet medical needs are high.”

One of Amgen’s key strengths is its focus on oncology, where it has developed and commercialized several blockbuster drugs. Kyprolis (carfilzomib) for multiple myeloma and Blincyto (blinatumomab) for acute lymphoblastic leukemia are prime examples of the company’s success in bringing novel therapies to market. Additionally, Amgen has made significant strides with Lumakras (sotorasib), the first FDA-approved treatment targeting the KRAS G12C mutation, a major breakthrough in precision oncology.

Beyond oncology, Amgen has a strong presence in cardiovascular diseases with drugs like Repatha (evolocumab), a PCSK9 inhibitor used to lower cholesterol, and Olpasiran, an investigational RNAbased therapy targeting cardiovascular risk factors. The company is also deeply involved in inflammatory diseases, with treatments such as Enbrel (etanercept) for rheumatoid arthritis and Otezla (apremilast) for psoriasis.

Amgen has reinforced its market position through strategic acquisitions and partnerships. In 2022, the company acquired Horizon Therapeutics for $27.8 billion, significantly expanding its rare disease portfolio. The acquisition added promising assets such as Tepezza (teprotumumab-trbw) for thyroid eye disease and Krystexxa (pegloticase) for chronic gout, bolstering Amgen’s leadership in specialty medicine.

Other notable acquisitions include the purchase of ChemoCentryx, which brought Tavneos (avacopan), a treatment for autoimmune diseases, into Amgen’s portfolio. These acquisitions showcase the company’s strategy of expanding into high-growth therapeutic areas and solidifying its leadership in innovative biotech solutions.

While Amgen is at the forefront of biotechnology innovation, its leadership recognizes that the company's true strength lies in its people. Bradway highlights that individuals who seek to change the practice of medicine are drawn to Amgen’s culture of excellence, where they have access to the necessary resources and expertise to drive breakthrough innovations. By fostering a culture of innovation and determination, Amgen ensures that it will continue to push the boundaries of science and transform healthcare for the future.