Amgen Topics Page Buys Kennedy

Amgen Topics Page - USATODAY.com

This corporation paid Senator Ted Kennedy $5,000,000.00 worth of Homage in the form of political contributions as of December 19, 2008. What are they involved in?
Is this health care plan REALLY in the best benefits of Americans or is it just making money hand over fist for a few people?

Well Ted Kennedy did very well and so will more people if his Health care plans are adopted, unfortunately the American Public will not be so well off.

Of course they also gave Obama $286,330.00 in tribute.



Here's your first clue .. What is Kennedy pushing so hard for now? What is he sponsoring?
well of course his namesake Ted Kennedy health Care Plan.

From their web site
For more than 25 years, Amgen scientists have applied innovative research to advance important new therapies for grievous illnesses. Amgen’s heritage in cutting-edge molecular biology has led the development of protein therapeutics that have transformed the management of anemia, inflammation and cancer.

More recently, Amgen has assembled a multidisciplinary group of chemists and biologists who together approach the challenge of drug discovery using multiple potential therapeutic modalities. This novel approach allows us to choose the best target for attacking a disease and to use the modality most likely to affect that target. The research program has grown spectacularly, yielding a heightened understanding of human disease, and innovative new approaches to improving human health.

Our R&D engine is powered by dedicated, creative scientists who are attracted to Amgen by our intellectual vigor, our commitment to world-class research, and most importantly, by the many opportunities we offer to make a dramatic difference in the lives of patients.

Covering a wide variety of illnesses to include:

General Medicine

Anemia
Blood Disorders
Chronic ITP
Congestive Heart Failure
Diabetes
Kidney Disease
Osteoporosis
Pain
Secondary Hyperparathyroidism (HPT)

Inflammation

Ankylosing Spondylitis
Inflammation
Joint Disorders
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid Arthritis

Oncology

Blood Disorders
Cancer
Prostate Cancer

From Reuters



Amgen Inc., incorporated in 1980, is a biotechnology company that discovers, develops, manufactures and markets human therapeutics-based on advances in cellular and molecular biology. The Company operates in human therapeutics. It markets human therapeutic products in the areas of supportive cancer care, nephrology and inflammation. Its principal products include Aranesp (darbepoetin alfa), EPOGEN (Epoetin alfa), Neulasta (pegfilgrastim), NEUPOGEN (Filgrastim) and Enbrel (etanercept). Aranesp and EPOGEN stimulate the production of red blood cells to treat anemia and belong to a class of drugs referred to as erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs). On January 4, 2008, the Company completed the acquisition of Dompe Biotec, S.p.A.

Aranesp is used for the treatment of anemia both in supportive cancer care and in nephrology. EPOGEN is used to treat anemia associated with chronic renal failure (CRF). Neulasta and NEUPOGEN selectively stimulate the production of neutrophils, one type of white blood cell that helps the body fight infections. ENBREL blocks the biologic activity of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) by inhibiting its binding to TNF receptors, a substance induced in response to inflammatory and immunological responses, such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. During the year ended December 31, 2008, its principal products represented 94% of total product sales.

The Company maintains sales and marketing forces primarily in the United States, Europe and Canada. It markets its products to healthcare providers, including physicians or their clinics, dialysis centers, hospitals and pharmacies. It markets ENBREL under a co-promotion agreement with Wyeth in the United States and Canada (Joint Ventures and Business Relationships-Wyeth). In addition, it has entered into licensing and/or co-promotion agreements to market its products in certain geographic areas. In the United States, the Company sells primarily to wholesale distributors of pharmaceutical products. Outside the United States, it sells principally to hospitals and/or wholesalers depending upon the distribution practice in each country.

The Company focuses its research and development (R&D) efforts on therapeutics for the treatment of grievous illness in the core areas of oncology, inflammation, bone, metabolic disorders and neuroscience. Its research takes a modality-independent approach to drug discovery, in which it chooses the possible approach to block a specific disease process before considering the type of drug (modality) that may be required to pursue that approach. It studies molecules across a range of modalities in the areas of proteins (sometimes referred to as large molecules), including monoclonal antibodies and peptibodies, and small molecules. It has major R&D centers in several locations throughout the United States and in the United Kingdom, as well as, smaller R&D centers in certain other countries throughout the world.

The Company’s manufacturing operations consist of bulk manufacturing, formulation, fill and finish activities, which produce Aranesp, Epoetin alfa, Neulasta, NEUPOGEN, ENBREL and other marketed products and product candidates for both commercial and clinical purposes. It operates commercial and clinical manufacturing facilities in several locations throughout the United States and in Puerto Rico, as well as performs certain finishing activities in the Netherlands. Third-party contractors manufacture some or all of certain of its marketed products and/or product candidates.

Aranesp

Aranesp is the Company’s registered trademark for one of its erythropoiesis-stimulating proteins, a protein that stimulates red blood cell production. The Company was granted a license by Kirin-Amgen, Inc. (KA), a joint venture between Kirin Holdings Company, Limited (Kirin) and Amgen, to manufacture and market darbepoetin alfa in the United States, all European countries, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, all Central and South American countries and certain countries in Central Asia, North Africa and the Middle East. It markets Aranesp primarily in the United States and Europe. Darbepoetin alfa is also marketed under the brand name Nespo in Italy.

EPOGEN

EPOGEN is the Company’s registered trademark for its recombinant human erythropoietin product, a protein that stimulates red blood cell production. It was granted a license to manufacture and market recombinant human erythropoietin in the United States under a licensing agreement with KA. The Company markets EPOGEN for the treatment of anemic adult and pediatric patients with CRF who are on dialysis.

Neulasta (pegfilgrastim)/NEUPOGEN (Filgrastim)

Neulasta is its registered trademark for a pegylated protein that selectively stimulates production of certain white blood cells known as neutrophils and is based on the Filgrastim molecule. It markets Neulasta and NEUPOGEN primarily in the United States and Europe. NEUPOGEN is the Company’s registered trademark for its recombinant-methionyl human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), a protein that selectively stimulates production of of neutrophils. It markets NEUPOGEN primarily in the United States, Europe and Canada. Filgrastim is marketed under the brand name GRANULOKINE in Italy. Filgrastim is also marketed under the brand name GRANULOKINE in Italy.

Enbrel

ENBREL is the Company’s registered trademark for its TNF receptor fusion protein that inhibits the binding to TNF receptors, which can result in a significant reduction in inflammatory activity. It markets ENBREL under a co-promotion agreement with Wyeth in the United States and Canada.

Other

The Company’s other marketed products comprises Sensipar (cinacalcet), Vectibix (panitumumab) and Nplate (romiplostim). Sensipar is the Company’s registered trademark in the United States and Mimpara is its registered trademark in Europe, for the Company’s first small molecule medicine used in treating CKD patients on dialysis who produce too much parathyroid hormone, a condition known as secondary hyperparathyroidism. Vectibix is the Company’s trademark for its first entirely human monoclonal antibody for the treatment of patients with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors (EGFr) expressing metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) after disease progression on, or following fluoropyrimidine-, oxaliplatin- and irinotecan- containing chemotherapy regimens.

On August 22, 2008, the Food and Drug Administration of Untied States (FDA) approved Nplate, the platelet producer for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in splenectomized (spleen removed) and non-splenectomized adults with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Nplate, the FDA approved peptibody protein, works by raising and sustaining platelet counts. On February 6, 2009, the Company announced that the European Commission granted marketing authorization for Nplate for the treatment of splenectomized adult chronic ITP patients who are refractory to other treatments (such as corticosteroids, immunoglobulins).

The Company competes with Johnson & Johnson, Hospira Enterprise B.V., Stada Arzneimittel AG, Sandoz GmbH, Hexal Biotech Forschungs GmbH, Medice Arzneimittel Putter GmbH & Co. KG, F.Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Shire Pharmaceutical Group Plc, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Chugai Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., Sanofi-Aventis Novartis AG, Ratiopharm, CT Arzneimittel, Teva, Procter & Gamble, Eli Lilly and Company, Merck & Company, Inc., Centocor, Inc., Schering Plough Corporation, Abbott Laboratories, Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc., DAVA Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Genentech, Inc., Biogen IDEC Inc., Genzyme Corporation and Connetics Corporation.




More information??? How well the players know the game of buying influence perhaps?
You figure it out .. it won't take much to connect the dots of Health care, media and banking industries.
Well lets look at the connections of the officers maybe?

David W. Beier became Senior Vice President, Global Government and Corporate Affairs of Amgen Inc in March 2008. He joined the Company in 2003 as Senior Vice President, Global Government Affairs. Previously, Mr. Beier was a partner with the law firm of Hogan and Hartson in Washington, D.C. From 1998 to early 2001, Mr. Beier served as Chief Domestic Policy Advisor to the Vice President of the United States. He also held positions as Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Policy for Genentech and staff counsel in the U.S. House of Representatives. Mr. Beier is a director of ARYx Therapeutics, Inc.

Mr. Frank J. Biondi, Jr., has served as a Director of Amgen, Inc since January 2002. Since March 1999, he has served as Senior Managing Director of WaterView Advisors LLC, an investment advisor organization. From April 1996 to November 1998, Mr. Biondi served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Studios, Inc. From July 1987 to January 1996, Mr. Biondi served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Viacom, Inc. Mr. Biondi is a director of Cablevision Systems Corp., Hasbro, Inc., Seagate Technology and Yahoo! Inc. Mr. Biondi was a member of the board of directors of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation until August 2008.

Mr. Bradway became Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Amgen in April 2007. He joined the Company in 2006 as Vice President, Operations Strategy. Previously, Mr. Bradway had an 18 year career at Morgan Stanley in New York and London where he was a managing director in investment banking. Mr. Bradway led Morgan Stanley’s healthcare practice in Europe for several years and also ran Morgan Stanley’s European banking department.

Mr. Jerry D. Choate has served as a Director of Amgen, Inc since August 1998. From January 1995 to January 1999, Mr. Choate served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of The Allstate Corporation, an insurance holding company. From August 1994 to January 1995, Mr. Choate served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Allstate and had previously held various management positions at Allstate since 1962. Mr. Choate is a director of Valero Energy Corporation and serves on the Board of Trustees for the Van Kampen Mutual Funds.

Dr. Vance D. Coffman, has served as a Director of Amgen Inc since October 2007. Dr. Coffman served in various executive capacities at Lockheed Martin Corporation, a high technology aerospace and defense company. He served as Vice Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer from 1997, as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer from 1998 until 2004, and as Chairman of the Board until 2005. He is a Member of the National Academy of Engineering and a Fellow in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the American Astronautical Society. He is also a director of 3M Company and Deere & Company.

Mr. FranCois De Carbonnel is Director of Amgen, Inc since October 2008. Mr. de Carbonnel was first identified to the Governance and Nominating Committee as a potential director candidate by Kevin Sharer, the Chief Executive Officer. Mr. de Carbonnel is non-executive Chairman of the Board and director of Thomson S.A., a French public company and provider of solutions for the creation, management, delivery and access of video for the Communication, Media & Entertainment industries (Euronext Paris, NYSE). He is also on the Boards of Pages Jaunes S.A., a French public company which publishes directories, and of Quilvest S.A., a public Luxembourg company which provides wealth management and private equity services, and on the Boards of Ecofin Global Utilities Hedge Fund Ltd. and Ecofin North America Utilities Hedge Fund Ltd., both Irish public companies which provide discretionary fund management services and advice to institutions in utilities and infrastructure industries. From August 2004 until December 2006, Mr. de Carbonnel served as Senior Advisor of the Global Corporate and Investment Bank of Citigroup. From December 1999 to August 2004, he was Managing Director, and member of the Operating Committee, of the Global Corporate and Investment Bank of Citigroup. From October 1994 to February 1998, Mr. de Carbonnel served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Midial S.A., a French public company, and from 1996 to 1998 Mr. de Carbonnel also served as Chairman of General Electric Capital SNC. He was President of GE Capital-Europe, Executive Vice President of GE Capital and Vice President of GE from August 1990 to September 1992. From April 1981 until August 1990, he served as President of Strategic Planning Associates (SPA). Prior to joining SPA, Mr. de Carbonnel served as Vice President of the Boston Consulting Group, where he worked from 1971 to 1981. Mr. de Carbonnel is a French citizen and resides in Europe.

Mr. Frank C. Herringer has served as a Director of Amgen, Inc since May 2004. Mr. Herringer has been Chairman of the Board of Transamerica Corporation, a financial services company, since 1995. From 1991 to 1999, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Transamerica and from 1986 to 1999 he served as President. From 1999 to 2000, Mr. Herringer served on the Executive Board of Aegon N.V. and as Chairman of the Board of Aegon U.S.A. Mr. Herringer is a director of The Charles Schwab Corporation and Safeway Inc.

Mr. Brian McNamee became Senior Vice President, Human Resources of Amgen, Inc in June 2001. From November 1999 to June 2001, Mr. McNamee served as Vice President of Human Resources at Dell Computer Corp. From 1998 to 1999, Mr. McNamee served as Senior Vice President, Human Resources for the National Broadcasting Corporation, a division of GE. From July 1988 to November 1999, Mr. McNamee held human resource positions at GE.

Ms. Judith C. Pelham has served as a Director of Amgen, Inc since May 1995. She is currently President Emeritus of Trinity Health, a national system of healthcare facilities, including hospitals, long-term care, home care, psychiatric care, residences for the elderly and ambulatory care, and one of the largest Catholic healthcare systems in the U.S. and sits on the board of trustees of Smith College. From May 2000 to December 2004, Ms. Pelham was President and Chief Executive Officer of Trinity Health. From January 1993 to April 2000, Ms. Pelham was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Mercy Health Services, a system of hospitals, home care, long-term care, ambulatory services and managed care established to carry out the health ministry sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy Regional Community of Detroit. From 1982 to 1992, Ms. Pelham was President and Chief Executive Officer of Daughters of Charity Health Services, Austin, Texas, a network of hospitals, home care and ambulatory services serving central Texas.

Dr. Roger M. Perlmutter became Executive Vice President of Research and Development of Amgen Inc in January 2001. From July 1999 to December 2000, Dr. Perlmutter was Executive Vice President, Worldwide Basic Research and Preclinical Development of Merck Research Laboratories. From February 1999 to July 1999, Dr. Perlmutter served as Executive Vice President of Merck Research Laboratories, and from February 1997 to January 1999, as Senior Vice President of Merck Research Laboratories. From May 1989 to January 1997, Dr. Perlmutter was also Chairman of the Department of Immunology, University of Washington, and from January 1991 to January 1997, Professor in the Departments of Immunology, Biochemistry and Medicine, University of Washington. From July 1984 to January 1997, Dr. Perlmutter served as Investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at the University of Washington. Dr. Perlmutter currently serves on the Board of Directors of StemCells, Inc.

Admiral J. Paul Reason, USN (Retired) has served as a Director of Amgen Inc since January 2001. From September 2005 to September 2006, he served as Vice Chairman and Director of Metro Machine Corporation, a privately-held ship repair company. From July 2000 to September 2005, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Metro Machine. From December 1996 to September 1999, Adm. Reason was a U.S. Navy Four Star Admiral and Commander-In-Chief of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. From August 1994 to November 1996, Adm. Reason served as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations. From June 1965 to July 1994, Adm. Reason served in numerous capacities, both at sea and ashore, in the U.S. Navy. Adm. Reason is a director of Norfolk Southern Corporation and Todd Shipyards Corporation.

Mr. Leonard D. Schaeffer has served as a Director of Amgen, Inc since March 2004. He is currently Chairman of the Board of Surgical Care Affiliates, LLC and a Senior Advisor for Texas Pacific Group, a private investment firm. Mr. Schaeffer is the former Chairman of the Board of Directors of WellPoint Inc., the leading health benefits company in the United States. From 1992 through 2004, he was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of WellPoint Health Networks Inc. Mr. Schaeffer was the Administrator of the U.S. Health Care Financing Administration (now CMS) from 1978 to 1980. He is a member of the Institute of Medicine and a director of Allergan, Inc. and Quintiles Transnational Corp.

Mr. David J. Scott became Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Amgen, Inc in March 2004. From May 1999 to February 2004, Mr. Scott served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Medtronic, Inc. and also as Secretary from January 2000. From December 1997 to April 1999, Mr. Scott served as General Counsel of London-based United Distillers & Vintners. Mr. Scott also served in executive roles at Grand Metropolitan plc and RJR Nabisco, Inc., and was an attorney in private practice.

Mr. Kevin W. Sharer has served as a Director of Amgen Inc since November 1992. Since May 2000, Mr. Sharer has been Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company and has also been Chairman of the Board since December 2000. From October 1992 to May 2000, Mr. Sharer served as President and Chief Operating Officer. From April 1989 to October 1992, Mr. Sharer was President of the Business Markets Division of MCI Communications Corporation, a telecommunications company. From February 1984 to March 1989, Mr. Sharer served in numerous executive capacities at General Electric Company. Mr. Sharer is a director of Chevron Corporation and Northrop Grumman Corporation.

(source)

All connected with Finance, European health care, media or Government.
It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out what the Health Care Plan is all about. It certainly is NOT about keeping Americans healthy.