Amgen Dedicates Cambridge, Mass. Research Center Focusing On Small Molecule Drug Discovery

10-22-2001: Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) today dedicated its 285,000 square foot research facility in the heart of the Cambridge-Boston biotechnology corridor. Amgen's work in the state-of-the-art, eight-story laboratory and research facility will focus on researching and discovering small molecule drug candidates.

In recent years, Amgen, the world's largest biotechnology company and known for its expertise in discovering and developing injected protein drugs, has broadened its focus to include oral small molecule drugs and antibodies.

The facility, to be known as Amgen's Cambridge Research Center, is located at One Kendall Square and will house a variety of research disciplines including biology, chemistry and biophysics. Amgen's home office in Thousand Oaks, Calif. currently houses more than 500 research staff.

"It is important to Amgen's growth and success to have a strong presence in the Cambridge-Boston biotechnology community," said Amgen's Chief Executive Officer Kevin Sharer. "This new facility will enable our company to strengthen our relationships with this community and to establish new ones."

"The Massachusetts and Cambridge biotechnology community is very pleased to welcome Amgen and the Amgen Center, a remarkably impressive biotechnology research center, to our state," said Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) at the ribbon-cutting ceremony here.

"The dedication of this building is an important milestone and cause for celebration for Amgen, Massachusetts, and millions of patients who will benefit from the biomedical research originating here. I am particularly pleased that Kevin Sharer has shown such farsighted leadership in bringing Amgen to Massachusetts. I look forward to working closely with the company in the months ahead."

The building provides state-of-the-art facilities for biotechnology research. Its exterior was designed with input from the community, and the architect paid particular attention to enhancing the community experience for the citizens of Cambridge.

Over time, Amgen anticipates housing more than 100 of its own research staff in the Cambridge Research Center and will lease the remainder of the space. The building was designed to house laboratory space for 500 people.

Cambridge Mayor Anthony D. Galluccio welcomed Amgen, saying: "Cambridge has become the biotech capital of the world, so certainly, having the largest biotech company coming to our city makes us very proud. A lot of the dot-com companies have folded up in recent months, but biotechs continue to flourish. Clearly, we think having Amgen as a leading component of that is going to help the stability of our economy."