Amgen to expand R&D investment in UK
pharmafile | January 26, 2006 | News story | Research and Development |
Amgen, the world's largest biotechnology company is to open a new drug development centre in Uxbridge, London, as part of a major new R&D investment in the UK.
The company's new site will accommodate more than 300 additional staff while an existing research facility in Cambridge will also be extended, both sites making a key contribution to Amgen's global expansion in R&D.
Amgen has a strong product pipeline in areas such as cancer, bone health and inflammation and says the new facility will help it develop promising candidates into new medicines.
The company says it has around 50 product candidates in development and will use the expanded UK operation to co-ordinate development programmes for these promising new molecules across Europe.
Founded in 1980, Amgen's R&D success began with the cloning of the human erythropoietin gene (EPO) leading to the development of its anaemia product Epogen, the first of a series of blockbusters for the company.
Lack of presence outside the US has seen the company develop product alliances, notably its co-marketing deal with Wyeth for rheumatoid arthritis blockbuster Enbrel.
Amgen's expansion in R&D, manufacturing and commercial operations in Europe means it will soon be competing with the very biggest pharma companies.
Commenting on the UK investment, Dr Jeremy Haigh, Amgen's European head of R&D, said: "This expansion will almost double our current UK-based R&D capacity, creating new job opportunities in all aspects of drug development including clinical research, biostatistics, regulatory affairs, safety, data and project management, as well as in key support functions. The decision confirms the UK as a major worldwide scientific hub for Amgen. "
Dr Haigh said the UK had been chosen because of access to exceptional talent and good communications, saying: "The UK has the scientific talent and capabilities which Amgen needs. Uxbridge is located in the heart of the biopharmaceutical community to the west of London and has excellent links with California where our headquarters are based.
"Cambridge has a longstanding commitment to science and remains one of Europe's most important biotechnology clusters. Amgen has had a presence in Cambridge for 15 years where we have continued to expand, recruiting more than 100 people here in the last 12 months alone."
Amgen is also investing $1 billion in a new production plant in Cork, Ireland, where around 1,100 will be employed by 2010.
Amgen's European headquarters is currently located in Lucerne but will now be relocated within Switzerland to Zug.
A new entity, Amgen International, also located in Zug, has been created to serve emerging markets in Central and Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America.
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