Reporting to Amgen’s Shareholders About 2020

How do you summarize an extraordinary year like 2020 in 3,000 words or less? It’s not easy, but I gave it a try with my annual letter to Amgen shareholders. It helps to have a good story to tell, of course, and I’m extremely proud of how my Amgen colleagues rose to the occasion last year to provide innovative medicines to patients around the world suffering from serious illness.   

Looking forward, we now have more than 20 medicines on the market, many of which I believe haven’t yet achieved their full potential, especially in countries like China and Japan. I’m also excited by two potential first-in-class Amgen treatments that are in late-stage development – one for lung cancer, the other for severe asthma. Turning to early research, our scientists are seeking to expand the universe of “druggable” targets – creating new possibilities for tackling diseases that currently have few, if any, good treatment options. In short, the world needs more innovation, not less, and we at Amgen are determined to provide it.  

Our work comes at a time when society increasingly expects businesses to do more than just turn a profit. We expect more than that of ourselves, too. So whether it’s pursuing ambitious new environmental goals, improving the diversity of our workforce, reducing health disparities for people of color, or sponsoring world-class science education programs that are free to everyone, Amgen is committed to corporate citizenship.  

Many thanks again to my Amgen colleagues for their resilience and dedication, and to my fellow shareholders for their continued confidence and trust in our company.