Amgen

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.

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.

1. 2025MariTide enters Phase III development

   Amgen began late-stage studies of MariTide for obesity and related metabolic conditions.

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2. 2024IMDELLTRA launched

   The FDA granted accelerated approval to IMDELLTRA for a form of small-cell lung cancer.

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3. 2023Horizon acquisition completed

   Amgen completed its acquisition of Horizon Therapeutics, expanding its rare-disease portfolio.

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4. 2021Lumakras and Tezspire milestones

   Lumakras received accelerated approval for KRAS G12C-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer, while Tezspire was approved for severe asthma later that year.

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5. 2015Repatha approved

   The FDA approved evolocumab, a PCSK9 inhibitor used to lower LDL cholesterol.

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6. 2010Prolia and XGEVA approvals

   The FDA approved denosumab products for osteoporosis and selected cancer-related bone complications.

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7. 1991Neupogen approved

   The FDA approved Neupogen to reduce infection risk associated with chemotherapy-induced immune suppression.

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8. 1989Epogen approved

   Epogen became the first recombinant human erythropoietin product approved in the United States.

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9. 1983Initial public offering and Amgen name

   The company completed its IPO and adopted the Amgen name, derived from Applied Molecular Genetics.

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10. 1980Company founded

    Applied Molecular Genetics was incorporated in Thousand Oaks, California, establishing the company that later became Amgen.

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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.

• ProliaBone health2010

  A denosumab biologic used for certain patients with osteoporosis who face elevated fracture risk, particularly in postmenopausal osteoporosis and other specified settings.

• XGEVAOncology and bone health2010

  A denosumab product used to reduce skeletal complications associated with bone metastases and for selected giant-cell tumor of bone indications.

• RepathaCardiovascular disease2015

  Evolocumab is a PCSK9 inhibitor that lowers LDL cholesterol and is used for selected patients with hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular risk.

• OtezlaImmunology2014

  Apremilast is an oral phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor used in conditions including psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

• BlincytoHematologic oncology2014

  Blinatumomab is a bispecific T-cell engager used in selected patients with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

• TezspireRespiratory disease2021

  Tezepelumab, developed with AstraZeneca, is a biologic used as an add-on maintenance treatment for certain patients with severe asthma.

• TepezzaRare disease2020

  Teprotumumab, obtained through the Horizon acquisition, is used to treat thyroid eye disease, also known as Graves’ ophthalmopathy.

• KrystexxaRare and metabolic disease2010

  Pegloticase is an enzyme replacement therapy for selected adults with chronic gout that has not responded adequately to conventional treatment.

• IMDELLTRAOncology2024

  Tarlatamab is a DLL3-directed bispecific T-cell engager approved through an accelerated pathway for certain adults with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer.

• MariTideMetabolic disease

  An investigational long-acting antibody-peptide candidate being studied for obesity and related metabolic disorders; it has not been established as an approved medicine.

• 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.

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• 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.

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• 2025Advance MariTide into Phase IIIProduct launch

  Amgen sought a differentiated position in obesity treatment through a potentially less-frequent dosing schedule.

  What changed. 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.
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• 2024Commercialize IMDELLTRAProduct launch

  Amgen pursued a DLL3-directed bispecific approach for patients with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer.

  What changed. 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.

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• 2023Acquire Horizon TherapeuticsM&A

  Amgen sought to broaden its rare-disease presence and add commercially established products such as Tepezza and Krystexxa.

  What changed. 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.

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• 2012Off-label promotion, kickbacks, and pricing settlementControversy

  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.

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• 2025Amgen begins late-stage MariTide trials

  The company advanced its investigational obesity medicine into Phase III studies while continuing to evaluate dosing and tolerability.

  Product launchOther
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• 2024IMDELLTRA receives accelerated FDA approval

  Amgen introduced its DLL3-targeting bispecific T-cell engager for certain adults with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer.

  Product launchProduct generation
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• 2023Amgen completes acquisition of Horizon Therapeutics

  Amgen completed its acquisition of Horizon, adding rare-disease products including Tepezza and Krystexxa.

  M&A
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• 2023Amgen becomes title sponsor of the Irish Open

  The golf tournament was renamed the Amgen Irish Open under a new title sponsorship agreement.

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1. Amgen
2. Amgen history
3. Amgen leadership: Robert A. Bradway
4. Department of Justice settlement announcement
5. Amgen completes Horizon acquisition
6. IMDELLTRA launched