Amgen has acquired cancer drug developer Dark Blue for a total transaction of US$840 million to further expand its oncology treatment product line. UK-based DarkBlue is a privately held company focused on developing a drug known as a “proteolytic agent,” a field that has become a popular target for pharmaceutical giants such as Novartis and Gilead Sciences. DarkBlue's fastest progressing compound has yet to enter clinical trials, but it is expected to provide a novel treatment for acute myeloid leukemia. Jay Bradner, Amgen's executive vice president of R&D, said in a statement: “This acquisition reinforces and expands our research in targeted protein degradation and leukemia treatment, and furthers our strategy for early investment in emerging targets.”

Amgen has acquired cancer drug developer Dark Blue for a total transaction of US$840 million to further expand its oncology treatment product line. UK-based DarkBlue is a privately held company focused on developing a drug known as a “proteolytic agent,” a field that has become a popular target for pharmaceutical giants such as Novartis and Gilead Sciences. DarkBlue's fastest progressing compound has yet to enter clinical trials, but it is expected to provide a novel treatment for acute myeloid leukemia. Jay Bradner, Amgen's executive vice president of R&D, said in a statement: “This acquisition reinforces and expands our research in targeted protein degradation and leukemia treatment, and furthers our strategy for early investment in emerging targets.”