Amgen’s Playing To Its R&D Strengths, Which No Longer Include Neuroscience

Oct 30 2019

• By Mandy Jackson

Listen to this article

The company will focus on core therapeutics areas like oncology and cardiovascular disease, but left open the possibility of future work in neuroscience with a genetic basis for drug development.

Unrecognizable male scientist is plugging a microscopy app into a brain study interface. Science concept for biosciences, molecular engineering, bioengineering, pharmacogenomics, pharmacogenetics. - Image — 180 Amgen jobs will be cut as the company ends early neuroscience R&D. • Source: Shutterstock

Amgen Inc. has never claimed to be an expert in neuroscience, even though it brought the first new migraine drug in decades to the market last year, so the company’s recent decision to end nearly all neuroscience research and development isn’t entirely surprising. It still is notable given the facts that Amgen partnered with Novartis AG a few years ago to expand its efforts in neuroscience, unmet need remains and investment continues in the space – although Pfizer Inc. made a similar exit early last year.

With the migraine prophylactic Aimovig (erenumab) on the market and the discontinuation of development for the Novartis-partnered BACE inhibitor CNP520...

More from Neurological

Evidence Growing For GLP-1s To Treat Alzheimer’s And Parkinson’s
Mar 10 2025
• By Andrew McConaghie
GLP-1 receptor agonists could play a big role in tackling neurodegeneration and a new academic study has raised expectations of Novo Nordisk’s latest semaglutide Phase III results
As More DLL3 Bispecifics Advance, Doctors Are Adjusting To CRS, ICANS
Mar 10 2025
• By Mandy Jackson
Amgen’s Imdelltra for small-cell lung cancer is one of two bispecific T-cell engagers approved for solid tumors, but data at the WCLC meeting show other DLL3-targeting BiTEs may be on the way.
Novo Nordisk’s Semaglutide Shows Promise In Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Mar 10 2025
• By Andrew McConaghie
An academic study of GLP-1 agonist showed promise in patients with the painful skin condition but with no signs that the Danish drugmaker will pursue the indication, smaller players in the space may be interested.
Biogen Joins Molecular Glue Degrader Club with Neomorph Pact--Test-1
Dec 10 2024
• By Saba Afreen
As it posts third-quarter numbers that again reveal the decline of revenues from its multiple sclerosis portfolio, the US biotech major is entering into the hot area of targeted protein degradation to boost its immunology and neurology pipeline.

More from Therapeutic Category

Scrip Data Article Without An Author
Nov 19 2025
"Neque porro quisquam est qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit..."
Spotlight On RDCs, AOCs As Leading Novel Bioconjugates[Updated]
Nov 12 2025
Pipelines in bioconjugates continue to develop, from ADCs to XDCs, with radionuclide drug conjugates (RDCs) and antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs) leading the expansion.
Fosun ALK/ROS1 Inhibitor Shows 1L Promise In Advanced NSCLC
Nov 12 2025
Interim results from the Phase III REMARK study presented at WCLC showed the Chinese company’s second-generation ALK/ROS1 inhibitor met its primary endpoint as a first-line therapy in ALK-positive advanced NSCLC.