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Amgen Quietly Acquires UK Biotech—Is This a Pipeline Power Play?

Amgen Inc. has taken a bold step into the oncology innovation frontier with its acquisition of UK-based Dark Blue Therapeutics, a private biotech firm advancing small molecule-targeted protein degraders, in a deal worth up to $840 million. The move, announced on January 6, 2026, aims to expand Amgen’s investigational portfolio with a compound targeting MLLT1/3—two proteins implicated in the progression of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), one of the most aggressive blood cancers. This acquisition underscores Amgen’s intensified focus on early-stage oncology assets that leverage novel therapeutic mechanisms. According to Jay Bradner, M.D., Amgen’s EVP of R&D, the transaction not only builds on the company’s cancer biology capabilities but also enhances its presence in targeted protein degradation. Dark Blue’s assets are expected to be integrated into Amgen’s existing research operations, offering a seamless fit into its drug discovery engine.