THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., Apr 11, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN), the world's largest biotechnology company, today issued the following statement:
Amgen filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) in Washington, D.C. requesting that the ITC institute an investigation of Roche's importation of pegylated recombinant human erythropoietin (peg-EPO) into the U.S. Amgen believes that importation of peg-EPO is unlawful because peg-EPO, and the method of its manufacture are covered by Amgen's EPO patents. Amgen is asking the ITC to issue a permanent exclusion order that would prohibit importation of peg-EPO into the United States. Amgen anticipates the ITC will decide whether to institute a formal investigation within 30 days of today's filing.
Amgen is one of the pioneers in helping develop and build the biotechnology industry in the United States -- a biotechnology industry unparalleled anywhere in the world. Amgen is proud of the significant investment it has made in research, development, and manufacturing in the United States and the innovative therapies it has brought to patients. Amgen is committed to cooperating with the ITC to protect this domestic industry from unlawfully imported products.
SOURCE: Amgen
Amgen, Thousand Oaks Marie Fay, 805-447-4587 (media) Arvind Sood, 805-447-1060 (investors)