The mega biotech firm’s arrival in New Albany overshadowed by Intel
BYLINE: SiliconHeartland.com staff
With so much focus on the Intel development, the arrival of Amgen in northwest Licking County may have gotten overlooked. Which is saying a lot since Amgen is a Fortune 500 company with a worldwide presence.
Here are some fast facts about the biotech business and its New Albany project.
What is Amgen?
“Amgen is a pharmaceutical company that uses advanced genetics to make biological medicines,” according to Investopedia. “Founded in 1980 as Applied Molecular Genetics, Amgen’s current specialty is human therapeutics, developing treatments for severe asthma, plaque psoriasis, and small-cell lung cancer.”
Where is its headquarters located?
Thousand Oaks, California.
What is its annual revenue?
Annual revenue for the publicly held company (AMGN) was more than $26 billion in 2021 placing it at No. 140 on the 2022 Fortune 500 list. Amgen employs more than 24,000 employees across the globe.
What is it building in New Albany?
On Nov. 5, 2021, Amgen broke ground on a biomanufacturing “final product assembly and packaging” plant that is expected to fully open in 2024, according to the company. It is located on Ganton Parkway, near Beech Street and the Franklin and Licking county lines south of St. Rt. 161. It is just a few miles from the Intel development. Amgen bought the 131 acres on Sept. 1, 2021, for $25,025,600, according to records at the Licking County Auditor’s office.
An Amgen official told SiliconHeartland.com that one of the packaging lines is already in operation to meet high demand as the rest of the site continues to get built.
Why New Albany?
According to an Amgen press release, “ ‘The positive business climate, access to a growing and diverse talent pool and the convenience from a logistics perspective were all important factors in our decision,’ said Arleen Paulino, senior vice president of Manufacturing at Amgen. ‘We are very excited to be here and to build strong connections with the local community.”
What is the impact of the New Albany site?
Amgen announced it will invest $365 million and employ about 400 people.
“Amgen, a founding member of the OneTen Coalition, a coalition of 35 of the world’s largest, best-known companies, plans to use its resources to change the employment paradigm for Blacks in the U.S.,” according to a company press release. “The Coalition aims to hire one million Black Americans into good-paying, family-sustaining jobs over the next ten years. To achieve this goal, Amgen will work with businesses, educational institutions and training partners to better develop, retain and advance diverse talent, focusing on Black Americans without four-year college degrees.”