Amgen
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA multinational biotechnology company developing, manufacturing, and commercializing medicines for serious and difficult-to-treat diseases.
Last updated October 14, 2026
Overview
Amgen is a United States-based multinational biotechnology company headquartered in Thousand Oaks, California. Its name is derived from Applied Molecular Genetics, the company’s original corporate name. Founded in 1980, Amgen became one of the foundational companies of modern biotechnology by applying recombinant-DNA science, molecular biology, human genetics, and large-scale biomanufacturing to the development of medicines. Its therapeutic focus includes oncology, hematology, inflammation, bone health, cardiovascular disease, nephrology, respiratory disease, rare disorders, and metabolic conditions. The company began as Applied Molecular Genetics and initially investigated several uses of genetic engineering, including recombinant proteins and insulin. In 1983 it completed an initial public offering and adopted the Amgen name. During the same period, a research team led by Fu-Kuen Lin cloned the human erythropoietin gene. That work produced Epogen, approved in the United States in 1989, which helped establish the commercial viability of biotechnology-derived medicines. Subsequent products such as Neupogen and Neulasta expanded Amgen’s role in supportive cancer care, while Enbrel created a major franchise in autoimmune disease. Aranesp extended its expertise in erythropoiesis. Amgen later built substantial positions in bone disease and oncology through denosumab products Prolia and XGEVA, the osteoporosis therapy Evenity, the multiple-myeloma medicine Kyprolis, and the bispecific T-cell engager Blincyto. Repatha brought a biologic approach to LDL-cholesterol reduction, and Otezla expanded the company’s immunology portfolio with an oral small-molecule product. Additional products include Nplate, Vectibix, Tezspire, Aimovig, biosimilars, and the KRAS G12C inhibitor Lumakras. The company combines internal research with licensing, partnerships, and acquisitions. Important transactions have included the purchases of deCODE Genetics, Micromet, Five Prime Therapeutics, Rodeo Therapeutics, ChemoCentryx, and Horizon Therapeutics. Horizon, acquired in 2023, strengthened Amgen’s rare-disease business through products including Tepezza and Krystexxa. Amgen also collaborates with companies such as AstraZeneca, Kyowa Kirin, Generate Biomedicines, Plexium, and Amazon Web Services. Amgen operates research, manufacturing, and commercial organizations across multiple regions. Its manufacturing network includes sites in Puerto Rico, Ireland, Singapore, Rhode Island, Ohio, and North Carolina. The company has also supported science education, patient initiatives, and pandemic-relief programs through the Amgen Foundation. Its current pipeline includes oncology and immune therapies as well as MariTide, an investigational antibody-peptide candidate being studied for obesity and related metabolic disease. Amgen remains an independent, publicly traded biopharmaceutical group rather than a subsidiary of a larger pharmaceutical company.
History
Amgen was incorporated in April 1980 in Thousand Oaks, California, as Applied Molecular Genetics. Backed by venture capital and advised by scientists associated with leading American universities, the young company explored recombinant-DNA applications before concentrating on therapeutic proteins and biotechnology manufacturing. George Rathmann became its first chief executive officer later in 1980. Amgen went public on June 17, 1983, selling two million shares and raising nearly $40 million. The company adopted the Amgen name, derived from its original corporate identity. A major early breakthrough came when Fu-Kuen Lin’s team cloned the erythropoietin gene. The resulting recombinant product, Epogen, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1989. Amgen also worked with Kirin Brewery on international rights and manufacturing arrangements. Research on granulocyte colony-stimulating factor led to Neupogen, approved in 1991 for reducing infection risk in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy. The company expanded its manufacturing base during the 1990s, including a major Puerto Rico facility, and received the United States National Medal of Technology and Innovation in 1994. Work on modified erythropoietin produced Aranesp, designed to remain active in the body longer. Gordon Binder led the company from 1988 until 2000, followed by Kevin Sharer. During this period Amgen broadened its commercial reach and developed major franchises in hematology, oncology, inflammation, and bone disease. In 2010 the FDA approved Prolia for osteoporosis and XGEVA for selected cancer-related skeletal complications. Amgen subsequently expanded its cardiovascular, immunology, and oncology portfolios through products such as Repatha, Otezla, Blincyto, Evenity, and Kyprolis. It also developed or acquired biosimilar capabilities. Robert Bradway became chief executive officer in 2012 and chairman in 2013. During the 2010s and early 2020s, Amgen supplemented internal discovery with acquisitions and collaborations. It acquired Five Prime Therapeutics, Rodeo Therapeutics, and ChemoCentryx, and entered partnerships involving immunology, protein degradation, RNA medicines, artificial intelligence, and manufacturing. Lumakras became the first approved targeted therapy for tumors carrying a KRAS G12C mutation after accelerated FDA approval in 2021. Tezspire, developed with AstraZeneca, added a severe-asthma therapy to the portfolio. Amgen acquired Horizon Therapeutics in 2023 for approximately $27.8 billion, strengthening rare-disease operations through Tepezza and Krystexxa. The company has continued expanding manufacturing in the United States and advancing oncology, respiratory, immune, and metabolic programs. MariTide, a long-acting investigational obesity treatment, became one of its most closely watched pipeline programs. Alongside commercial operations, the Amgen Foundation has supported science education, health equity, and relief efforts.
- 2025
MariTide enters Phase III development
[6]Amgen began late-stage studies of MariTide for obesity and related metabolic conditions.
- 2024
IMDELLTRA launched
[6]The FDA granted accelerated approval to IMDELLTRA for a form of small-cell lung cancer.
- 2023
Horizon acquisition completed
[5]Amgen completed its acquisition of Horizon Therapeutics, expanding its rare-disease portfolio.
- 2021
Lumakras and Tezspire milestones
[1]Lumakras received accelerated approval for KRAS G12C-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer, while Tezspire was approved for severe asthma later that year.
- 2015
Repatha approved
[1]The FDA approved evolocumab, a PCSK9 inhibitor used to lower LDL cholesterol.
- 2010
Prolia and XGEVA approvals
[1]The FDA approved denosumab products for osteoporosis and selected cancer-related bone complications.
- 1991
Neupogen approved
[1]The FDA approved Neupogen to reduce infection risk associated with chemotherapy-induced immune suppression.
- 1989
Epogen approved
[2]Epogen became the first recombinant human erythropoietin product approved in the United States.
- 1983
Initial public offering and Amgen name
[2]The company completed its IPO and adopted the Amgen name, derived from Applied Molecular Genetics.
- 1980
Company founded
[2]Applied Molecular Genetics was incorporated in Thousand Oaks, California, establishing the company that later became Amgen.
Products and positioning
A science-led biotechnology company focused on genetically informed, targeted therapies for serious diseases and areas of substantial unmet medical need, supported by proprietary research, biologics manufacturing, partnerships, and acquisitions.
Bone health · 2010
Prolia
A denosumab biologic used for certain patients with osteoporosis who face elevated fracture risk, particularly in postmenopausal osteoporosis and other specified settings.
Oncology and bone health · 2010
XGEVA
A denosumab product used to reduce skeletal complications associated with bone metastases and for selected giant-cell tumor of bone indications.
Cardiovascular disease · 2015
Repatha
Evolocumab is a PCSK9 inhibitor that lowers LDL cholesterol and is used for selected patients with hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular risk.
Immunology · 2014
Otezla
Apremilast is an oral phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor used in conditions including psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
Hematologic oncology · 2014
Blincyto
Blinatumomab is a bispecific T-cell engager used in selected patients with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Respiratory disease · 2021
Tezspire
Tezepelumab, developed with AstraZeneca, is a biologic used as an add-on maintenance treatment for certain patients with severe asthma.
Rare disease · 2020
Tepezza
Teprotumumab, obtained through the Horizon acquisition, is used to treat thyroid eye disease, also known as Graves’ ophthalmopathy.
Rare and metabolic disease · 2010
Krystexxa
Pegloticase is an enzyme replacement therapy for selected adults with chronic gout that has not responded adequately to conventional treatment.
Oncology · 2024
IMDELLTRA
Tarlatamab is a DLL3-directed bispecific T-cell engager approved through an accelerated pathway for certain adults with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer.
Metabolic disease
MariTide
An investigational long-acting antibody-peptide candidate being studied for obesity and related metabolic disorders; it has not been established as an approved medicine.
Controversies
2026
France recalls Tavneos batches after deaths linked in Japan
France's medicine safety agency ANSM said the recall of all Tavneos batches available in France would begin on August 19, after the drug, made by U.S. biotech firm Amgen and sold by partner companies worldwide, was linked to 20 deaths in Japan. The European Commission had revoked the drug's marketing authorisation earlier in the month.
2012
Off-label promotion, kickbacks, and pricing settlement
Amgen pleaded guilty to a federal charge and paid $762 million to resolve criminal and civil allegations concerning promotion of medicines for unapproved uses, improper inducements, and false pricing submissions.
Marketing campaigns
- 2023Amgen Irish Open sponsorship
Ireland
Amgen became title sponsor of the Irish Open golf tournament, which adopted the Amgen Irish Open name.
Outcome. Established a prominent sports-marketing association in Ireland.
- 2017Amgen Foundation science education support
United States
The Amgen Foundation pledged support to Khan Academy for free biology education, followed by additional funding for educational equity and science learning in 2020.
Outcome. Supported expansion of freely available science-learning materials.
Brand decisions
2025
Advance MariTide into Phase IIIProduct launchBackground
Amgen sought a differentiated position in obesity treatment through a potentially less-frequent dosing schedule.
Action taken
The company initiated late-stage MARITIME studies after encouraging Phase II weight-loss results and continued dose evaluation to manage tolerability.
Aftermath
MariTide remains investigational; its eventual value depends on Phase III efficacy, safety, manufacturing, and regulatory outcomes.
- Eli Lilly — Eli Lilly’s commercial Zepbound franchise represents established competition in obesity medicines.
- Novo Nordisk — Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy franchise contributes to a highly competitive GLP-1-centered obesity market.
2024
Commercialize IMDELLTRAProduct launchBackground
Amgen pursued a DLL3-directed bispecific approach for patients with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer.
Action taken
Following accelerated FDA approval, the company introduced IMDELLTRA in the United States.
Aftermath
The product became part of Amgen’s expanding oncology portfolio, with continued clinical work required for confirmation and potential label expansion.
2023
Acquire Horizon TherapeuticsM&ABackground
Amgen sought to broaden its rare-disease presence and add commercially established products such as Tepezza and Krystexxa.
Action taken
It completed an all-cash acquisition valued at approximately $27.8 billion after addressing regulatory litigation and competition concerns.
Aftermath
Horizon’s rare-disease portfolio was integrated into Amgen, increasing the company’s exposure to specialty medicines.
Recent events
- 2025
Amgen begins late-stage MariTide trials[6]
Product launch · Other
The company advanced its investigational obesity medicine into Phase III studies while continuing to evaluate dosing and tolerability.
- 2024
IMDELLTRA receives accelerated FDA approval[6]
Product launch · Product generation
Amgen introduced its DLL3-targeting bispecific T-cell engager for certain adults with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer.
- 2023
Amgen completes acquisition of Horizon Therapeutics[5]
M&A
Amgen completed its acquisition of Horizon, adding rare-disease products including Tepezza and Krystexxa.
- 2023
Amgen becomes title sponsor of the Irish Open[6]
Campaign
The golf tournament was renamed the Amgen Irish Open under a new title sponsorship agreement.
Sources17 sources
- 1Amgenen.wikipedia.org
- 2Amgen historyamgen.com
- 3Amgen leadership: Robert A. Bradwayamgen.com
- 4Department of Justice settlement announcementjustice.gov
- 5Amgen completes Horizon acquisitionamgen.com
- 6IMDELLTRA launchedamgen.com
- 7France recalls Tavneos batches after deaths linked in Japanthehindu.com
- 8安进以28亿美元完成收购百济神州约20.5％的股份finance.sina.com.cn
- 9百济神州获安进公司27亿美元增资，将持股比20.5%finance.sina.com.cn
- 10百济神州宣布与安进公司达成的全球肿瘤战略合作及股权投资生效finance.sina.com.cn
- 11百济神州宣布与安进公司达成的全球肿瘤战略合作及股权投资生效prnasia.com
- 12Amgen Completes Acquisition Of Otezla® (apremilast)prnewswire.com
- 13Amgen raises 2019 profit, sales view after buying Celgene psoriasis drugeuronews.com
- 14Amgen Reports Third Quarter 2019 Financial Resultsprnewswire.com
- 15BeiGene Announces Closing of Amgen Global Strategic Oncology Collaboration and Equity Investment - Amgenbenzinga.com
- 16FDA Approves Amgen's AVSOLA™ (infliximab-axxq), For The Same Indications As Remicade® (infliximab)prnewswire.com
- 17Jasper Therapeutics Launches with $35 Million Series A Financing to Develop and Commercialize Innovativebenzinga.com
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