THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 24, 2006--Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN), the world's largest biotechnology company, today announced that it anticipates significant investment in additional manufacturing and R&D operations in the United States and Europe and expansion of its commercial operations into new markets.
In Cork, Ireland, Amgen intends to invest more than $1 billion in new process development, bulk manufacturing and fill and finish facilities that will give the company capacity closer to the patients it serves in Europe. Amgen currently is adding a manufacturing plant in Puerto Rico to produce EPOGEN(R) (Epoetin alfa) and Aranesp(R) (darbepoetin alfa). In 2005, Amgen received licensure of a NEUPOGEN(R) (Filgrastim) and Neulasta(R) (pegfilgrastim) plant in Puerto Rico and an Enbrel(R) (etanercept) plant in Rhode Island, and announced plans to acquire Abgenix, Inc., a leading biopharmaceutical company with a large manufacturing plant in Fremont, California.
Amgen also announced today it intends to expand its existing research and development operations in Cambridge, Mass., San Francisco, Seattle, and Cambridge, U.K., and build a new development center in Uxbridge, U.K. In addition, Amgen has moved its European headquarters from Lucerne to Zug, Switzerland, and formed a new entity, Amgen International, also located in Zug, that is expected to enhance access to Amgen's vital medicines for patients in emerging markets in Central and Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Ireland Facility is Part of Overall Manufacturing Expansion Strategy
By 2010, Amgen expects to employ more than 1,100 people at its new Irish facility, which will produce products for the growing number of patients in Europe and other parts of the world who benefit from Amgen's vital medicines.
"Amgen is pleased to establish a site in Ireland as part of our ongoing global development and manufacturing expansion," said Fabrizio Bonanni, senior vice president, Manufacturing. "As demand for our products grows in Europe, Amgen requires capacity closer to this important market."
"The company considered several attractive sites in other countries, but chose Ireland due to its thriving biotechnology community, infrastructure to support biologics manufacturing and attractive business climate," said Bonanni. "Our new facilities in Cork will enhance our ability to deliver on Amgen's robust pipeline."
Since Amgen's founding in 1980, the company has been a pioneer in biologics manufacturing, developing some of the first and most successful processes for large-scale protein production. Over the last five years, Amgen has invested more than $3 billion to enhance its manufacturing capabilities in the United States and has added more than 4,000 operations jobs in the U.S. since 2001.
Amgen anticipates that it will break ground on the Cork projects later this year. It expects to begin operating in Cork in 2009.
Expansion of Development Activities in U.S. and Europe Will Allow Amgen to Bring Pipeline Products to Patients Faster
Amgen's growth in research and development marks a unique transformation in the company's history. As others in the industry consolidate and reduce workforces, Amgen is launching a major global expansion of its R&D efforts in a number of scientific hubs throughout the world. This global expansion is due to a remarkably robust pipeline that is driving Amgen's growth and helping build a portfolio that rivals any in the industry.
While most growth will take place in the organization's existing regional R&D sites -- including San Francisco, Seattle and Cambridge, Mass., in the U.S. and Cambridge in the U.K. -- Amgen also will add a development site in Uxbridge, U.K. In addition, Amgen anticipates future expansion in Japan, Australia, Canada and other locations.
"This significant, long-term investment in our global R&D infrastructure underscores the commitment of Amgen to be the world's best human therapeutics company," said Roger M. Perlmutter, executive vice president, Research and Development. "In particular, our growth in clinical development at Amgen San Francisco and Uxbridge, U.K. will provide the capability to deliver on the promise of our extraordinary pipeline."
Recognizing the need for Amgen to expand its global reach, the company constantly evaluates new opportunities for expansion worldwide.
Amgen to Explore New Markets
Amgen has selected Zug, Switzerland, as the home of its international commercial operations outside of the United States, Canada and Japan.
The newly formed Amgen International oversees operations in Europe, Australia and the Middle East. Amgen expects that it soon will start up activities in Russia, Mexico and Brazil. By the end of the decade, Amgen anticipates expansion of its commercial activities into not yet covered countries in Eastern Europe, Central and Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Rolf Hoffmann serves as senior vice president of Amgen's international operations and is now based in Zug.
"Amgen's choice of Zug as the headquarters for international commercial operations reflects the outstanding business environment Switzerland offers to biotechnology companies," said Hoffmann. "Switzerland is an ideal location from which to further expand Amgen's commercial operations into new markets. This will accelerate greater patient access to Amgen's innovative therapies."
About Amgen
Amgen discovers, develops and delivers innovative human therapeutics. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen was one of the first companies to realize the new science's promise by bringing safe and effective medicines from lab, to manufacturing plant, to patient. Amgen therapeutics have changed the practice of medicine, helping millions of people around the world in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other serious illnesses. With a broad and deep pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people's lives. To learn more about our pioneering science and our vital medicines, visit www.Amgen.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve significant risks and uncertainties, including those discussed below and others that can be found in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, and in our periodic reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. Amgen is providing this information as of the date of this news release and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this document as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual results may differ materially from those we project. The company's results may be affected by our ability to successfully market both new and existing products domestically and internationally, sales growth of recently launched products, difficulties or delays in manufacturing our products, and regulatory developments (domestic or foreign) involving current and future products and manufacturing facilities. In addition, sales of our products are affected by reimbursement policies imposed by first party payors, including governments, private insurance plans and managed care providers, and may be affected by domestic and international trends toward managed care and healthcare cost containment as well as possible U.S. legislation affecting pharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement. Government regulations and reimbursement policies may affect the development, usage and pricing of our products. Furthermore, our research, testing, pricing, marketing and other operations are subject to extensive regulation by domestic and foreign government regulatory authorities. We, or others, could identify side effects or manufacturing problems with our products after they are on the market. In addition, we compete with other companies with respect to some of our marketed products as well as for the discovery and development of new products. Discovery or identification of new product candidates cannot be guaranteed and movement from concept to product is uncertain; consequently, there can be no guarantee that any particular product candidate will be successful and become a commercial product. In addition, while we routinely obtain patents for our products and technology, the protection offered by our patents and patent applications may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented by our competitors. Further, some raw materials, medical devices, and component parts for our product are supplied by sole third party suppliers.
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CONTACT: Amgen, Thousand Oaks Mary Klem, 805-447-4587 (media) or Arvind Sood, 805-447-1060 (investors) SOURCE: Amgen