Amgen announces new board appointments

Amgen has announced a series of changes to the make-up of its board of directors, effective as of the end of this month.

The pharmaceutical company's chief executive officer Robert Bradway is to become chairman, while one-time Lockheed Martin boss Vance Coffman – who has been on the board since 2007 – has been appointed lead independent director.

Meanwhile Robert Eckert, the former chief executive officer of Mattel, will join the board's audit and corporate responsibility and compliance committees.

These new appointments coincide with the imminent departure of Kevin Sharer, who previously announced that he will be retiring from the company on December 31st 2012.

As a result of these changes, Amgen's new-look board will comprise of 14 directors, of whom 13 will be independent members.

Mr Bradway said: "We thank Kevin Sharer for his 20 years of dedicated service and his contributions to the company and the patients we serve."