Amgen 2001 Annual Report Download - page 21

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In late 2001, Amgen announced
plans to acquire Immunex Corporation,
one of the fastest growing publicly traded
biotechnology companies in the United
States. The acquisition is expected to
significantly expand the company’s pres-
ence in this therapeutic area. In 1998,
Immunex launched the first biologically
derived therapeutic specifically targeted
at rheumatoid arthritis. ENBREL
®
(etanercept) is a soluble recombinant
form of a receptor for the cytokine tumor
necrosis factor, a protein that has been
shown to play a key role in rheumatoid
arthritis-associated inflammation.
Assuming the successful completion of
this acquisition, Amgen will significantly
improve its research capabilities in
inflammation, while manufacturing and
marketing two of the most significant
new therapeutics for rheumatoid arthritis
available today.
Inflammation
Amgen’s potential acquisition
of Immunex will bring with it a
roster of experienced research
talent in inflammation. Amgen
added more than 350 new staff
members across a range of
disciplines to its overall talent
base during 2001.
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