Amgen development centre opened by PM

Amgen has announced the opening of a development centre for the firm in London by prime minister Tony Blair, with the site being the company’s largest research and development centre outside the US.

The European development centre, based in Uxbridge, can accommodate over 300 new employees and constitutes a significant proportion of investment in research and development efforts of the company in the UK.

Amgen reports that this new site, in conjunction with its recently expanded facilities in Cambridge, will operate in support of its plans to launch its clinical trial programme, with over half of its 250 clinical studies planned in 2007 to be conducted by UK-based research and development staff.

Prime minister Tony Blair said: “I am delighted that Amgen has chosen to locate its European development centre in the UK

“The UK biotech industry is second only to the US and we lead Europe in this sector.”

He added that the decision from Amgen highlighted the strong economy in the UK and the quality if its research base.

Last October, Amgen announced the launch of a $25 million (12.97 million pounds) undergraduate research programme – Amgen Scholars – providing research experience to students at ten US universities.