Amgen Story : 25 Years of Visionary Science and Powerful Medicine

Few scientific discoveries have generated as much excitement - or offered as much promise - as the creation of recombinant DNA in 1972. By "recombining" artificial DNA from multiple sources, scientists changed the face of medicine, making possible the unlimited production of human proteins and thus the potential mass production of medical, agricultural, enviromental, and industrial products. This discovery set the stage for the biotechnology revolution, offering both opportunity and risk for visionaries willing to plunge in. Amgen - now the world's largest biotechnology company - was an enthusiastic trailblazer. The Amgen Story: 25 Years of Visionary Science and Powerful Medicine traces the company from its beginning as a gleam in the eyes of three men through the fulfillment of their dream: the creation of a unique company grounded in the field of biotechnology. It chronicles determined scientists willing to stake their future on the unknown, early promises that didn't pan out, scientific perseverance that saved the young company, breakthrough discoveries that led to life-changing medicine, competitive challenges that transformed the organization, and explosive growth that, by the end of 2004, resulted in more than fourteen thousand staff worldwide. Moving between the labratory and the boardroom, the book also details the strategies of the Amgen's three CEO's, who each steered the company through vastly different territory - from cash-strapped Start-up to multi-billion-dollar protein manufacturer and medicine distributor. Finally, The Amgen Story documents the company's impact on the lives of millions of patients through its transforming products.