Abstract
Amgen operates in one business segment - human therapeutics and markets
products in the areas of haematology, immunology, inflammation and oncology.
This report provides a full review of the company's activities together with
sales forecasts for key products to 2010.
Amgen was incorporated in 1980 and is a global biotechnology company that
discovers, develops, manufactures and markets human therapeutics. Amgen
operates in one business segment - human therapeutics and markets products in
the areas of haematology, immunology, inflammation and oncology. Research and
development efforts are focused on novel theraputics for the treatment of
haematology, inflammation, oncology, metabolic disorders and neuroscience.
Current Growth Drivers
Since Amgen markets a small number of products, they are all very significant
to the company. Three products in particular have shown strong sales growth in
recent years:
- Aranesp (darbepoetin alpha), a novel erythropoiesis stimulating protein,
is a recombinant protein which stimulates the production of red blood cells.
In 2005, Aranesp usage in US hospital dialysis clinics increased, reflecting a
conversion from Epogen in the treatment of various causes of anaemia.
- Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) is a sustained-duration formulation of Neupogen
(filgrastim) formed by the addition of polyethylene glycol to granulocyte
colony stimulating factor and developed in collaboration with Roche. Neulasta
has demonstrated continued market gains since its launch in 2002. This rise in
sales can be attributed to an increased awareness of febrile neutropenia.
- Enbrel (etanercept) is a soluble tumour necrosis factor which has
potential in several inflammatory diseases mediated by excess TNF. Enbrel
sales growth has benefited from its competitive profile and significant
increases in the usage of biologics in both rheumatology and dermatology
settings.
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