Amgen's Largest R&D Investment Outside the U.S. to Support a Major International Clinical Trial Programme Encompassing Nearly 41,000 Patients with Serious Illness
UXBRIDGE, England--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 2, 2007--Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) announced today that the Prime Minister Rt Hon Tony Blair MP opened Amgen's new European Development Centre in Uxbridge, London. The centre can accommodate more than 300 new staff and forms a key part of a significant Research & Development (R&D) investment in the UK by Amgen.
Amgen's biotechnology medicines have already improved the lives of millions of patients worldwide suffering from cancer, kidney disease and other serious illnesses. As of the end of 2006, nearly 41,000 patients in 39 countries were enrolled in Amgen clinical trials. Uxbridge, together with Amgen's expanded Cambridge, UK facilities, will support the company's largest ever international clinical trial programme. In 2007, Amgen expects that approximately 55,000 patients will be enrolled in more than 250 clinical studies worldwide. More than half of those studies will be coordinated by UK-based R&D staff across 31 European countries.
Commenting on his opening of the European Development Centre in Uxbridge, the Prime Minister said, "I am delighted that Amgen has chosen to locate its European Development Centre in the UK. The UK biotech industry is second only to the United States, and we lead Europe in this sector. Amgen's decision to locate here is another strong endorsement of our economy and our first-class research base.
"This move will further strengthen our world leading capabilities in this area by providing highly skilled new jobs and delivering long term benefits for patients and for the National Health Service."
"Uxbridge represents Amgen's largest R&D investment outside the United States," said Amgen's senior vice president and international chief medical officer, Willard Dere, M.D. "This investment confirms the UK's position as a major worldwide scientific hub for the company. We chose London because of its excellent reputation for clinical research and pool of highly qualified and talented scientists."
Amgen's global R&D expansion is being driven by its robust pipeline. With over 45 molecules in development and an annual R&D budget of more than U.S. $3 billion, Amgen remains focused on the promise of meeting unmet medical needs for patients with serious illness. For example, Amgen recently won approval to market a new treatment for colorectal cancer in the U.S. In addition, Amgen is testing a potential treatment for a range of conditions including post-menopausal osteoporosis and cancer related bone disease.
"Amgen's mission is to serve patients, and Uxbridge has a vital role to play in ensuring the company fulfills this mission," Dere said.
The official opening of the new facility by the Prime Minister demonstrates the UK Government's commitment to attracting more R&D investment with the aim of making the UK a world leader in biotechnology.
Jeremy Haigh, Ph.D., vice president and international chief operating officer, Research and Development, Amgen, said, "The UK has a deserved reputation for scientific excellence and we are proud to be investing in the UK in this way. The talent is undoubtedly here, but it is vitally important that industry and Government work together to ensure that the supply of skills is responsive to the demands of the sector in the future."
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 deep and broad 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.
CONTACT: Amgen, U.K.
Nigel Thornton, +44 1223 43 6459 (media)
or
Amgen, U.S.
David Polk, +1-805-447-4613 (media)
Arvind Sood, +1-805-447-1060 (investors)
SOURCE: Amgen