Amgen Astellas BioPharma

What Amgen Astellas BioPharma does

Amgen Astellas BioPharma, now operating as Amgen K.K. (アムジェン株式会社) since April 2020, is the Japanese biopharmaceutical subsidiary of Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ: AMGN). The entity originated as a 50/50 joint venture between Astellas Pharma and Amgen Inc. in October 2013 (Astellas Amgen BioPharma), became a wholly-owned Amgen subsidiary in April 2020, and is headquartered at Midtown Tower in Minato-ku, Tokyo. Its core technology platform is the discovery, development, and large-scale manufacturing of biologic medicines — monoclonal antibodies, bispecific T-cell engagers, small molecule inhibitors, and biosimilars — produced using living cell cultures in bioreactors up to 20,000 liters. The company markets nine products in Japan across cardiovascular disease (Repatha/evolocumab), bone disease (Evenity/romosozumab), oncology (Blincyto/blinatumomab, Lumakras/sotorasib, Imdelltra/tarlatamab), inflammatory diseases (Otezla/apremilast), neurology (Aimovig/erenumab), and rare disease (Tepezza/teprotumumab), plus the biosimilar Bevacizumab BS Amgen.

The business operates under Japan's National Health Insurance (NHI) reimbursement system, with drug prices set by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Distribution flows through authorized pharmaceutical wholesalers and direct hospital/clinic channels, supported by a medical representative (MR) field force and a digital infrastructure that includes the Amgen eMR web platform, the AmgenPro portal (integrated with m3.com for HCP authentication), and dedicated product-specific websites. Customer-facing programs include the Migraine Control College (a Healthcare Asia Pharma Awards 2022 winner for Patient Advocacy) and disease-awareness websites across migraine, osteoporosis, ACS, psoriasis, Behcet's disease, and thyroid eye disease. The company employs roughly 600-700 staff in Japan, operates as part of Amgen's broader presence in 100+ countries, and supports research collaborations with the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Kagoshima University, and the Japan Osteoporosis Foundation. In December 2024, Amgen Japan launched "VISION 2030," outlining its strategic priorities through the end of the decade.

Name

Amgen Astellas BioPharma

Legal name

Amgen Inc.

Website

https://amgen.co.jp

Company type

Public

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Amgen K.K. (formerly Amgen Astellas BioPharma) is the Japanese biopharmaceutical subsidiary of Amgen Inc., developing, manufacturing, and commercializing biologic medicines across cardiovascular, oncology, bone, inflammatory, neurological, and rare disease indications for Japanese patients, distributed through the NHI reimbursement system via MR-led sales channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Minato

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Biopharmaceutical Product Sales (Japan): Amgen K.K. generates revenue through the sale of proprietary biologic medicines and biosimilars to healthcare providers, hospitals, and pharmacies in Japan. Products include monoclonal antibodies, bispecific T-cell engagers, small molecule inhibitors, and other biologics for cardiovascular, oncology, bone, inflammation, neurology, and rare disease indications. Revenue flows through pharmaceutical wholesalers and direct hospital contracts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Amgen Astellas BioPharma (operating as Amgen K.K. since April 2020) is the Japanese biopharmaceutical subsidiary of Amgen Inc., developing, manufacturing, and commercializing innovative biologic medicines across six therapeutic areas: cardiovascular disease, oncology, bone disease, inflammatory/immune diseases, neurology, and rare diseases. The company markets a portfolio of monoclonal antibodies, bispecific T-cell engagers, small-molecule inhibitors, and biosimilars to hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies in Japan through pharmaceutical wholesalers.

Product overview

Amgen Astellas BioPharma (operating as Amgen K.K. since 2020) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative medicines across six therapeutic areas: cardiovascular diseases, oncology (blood cancers and solid tumors), bone diseases, inflammatory/immune diseases, neurological diseases, and rare diseases. The company's portfolio consists of 9 marketed products including both proprietary biologics and biosimilars. Key products include Lumakras (KRAS G12C inhibitor for lung cancer), Repatha (PCSK9 inhibitor for cholesterol), Blincyto (bispecific antibody for leukemia), Imdelltra (bispecific protein for solid tumors), Aimovig (CGRP inhibitor for migraine prevention), Evenity (sclerostin inhibitor for osteoporosis), Otezla (PDE4 inhibitor for psoriasis), Tepezza (IGF-1R inhibitor for thyroid eye disease), and Bevacizumab BS Amgen (biosimilar). The company also maintains a robust pipeline of approximately 25+ drug candidates in various clinical development phases.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AmgenPro: Healthcare professional-facing information website operated by Amgen K.K. providing product information, prescribing resources, and medical affairs content for physicians, pharmacists, and nurses in Japan.
• Amgen eMR

Products and services

• Lumakras (ルマケラス) KRAS G12C inhibitor for the treatment of KRAS G12C-mutated non-small cell lung cancer. A targeted therapy addressing previously difficult-to-treat genetic mutations in cancer, prescribed by oncologists.
• Repatha (レパーサ) Human anti-PCSK9 monoclonal antibody for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and familial hypercholesterolemia. Reduces LDL cholesterol by blocking the PCSK9 protein, prescribed by cardiologists and lipid specialists.
• Blincyto (ビーリンサイト) CD19/CD3 bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE) for the treatment of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). A bispecific antibody that directs T cells to eliminate CD19-expressing cancer cells, administered in hematology/oncology settings.
• Imdelltra (イムデトラ) DLL3/CD3 bispecific T-cell engager for the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC). A T-cell-engaging bispecific antibody targeting tumor cells for use by oncologists.
• Aimovig (アイモビーグ) Human anti-CGRP receptor monoclonal antibody for the preventive treatment of migraine. Blocks the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) pathway, prescribed by neurologists and headache specialists.
• Evenity (イベニティ) Humanized anti-sclerostin monoclonal antibody for the treatment of osteoporosis. Promotes bone formation and reduces bone resorption by inhibiting sclerostin, prescribed by endocrinologists and orthopedic specialists.
• Otezla (オテズラ) Oral PDE4 inhibitor for the treatment of psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and Behcet's disease. Modulates inflammatory responses through phosphodiesterase 4 inhibition, prescribed by dermatologists and rheumatologists.
• Tepezza (テッペーザ) IGF-1R inhibitor for the treatment of thyroid eye disease (Graves' ophthalmopathy). A therapeutic agent addressing the underlying pathophysiology of this serious autoimmune inflammatory condition of the orbit, administered by ophthalmologists and endocrinologists.
• Bevacizumab BS Amgen (ベバシズマブBS「アムジェン」) Biosimilar version of bevacizumab, an anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody. A biosimilar product developed and manufactured by Amgen for use in oncology treatment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Amgen has developed 20 innovative medicines, with 13 designated first-in-class and 3 based on first-in-class mechanisms
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kagoshima UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 June 2023Amgen K.K. and Kagoshima University's Department of Cardiovascular Medicine formed the 'ACS Healthcare Ecosystem Formation Project' to improve secondary prevention of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and enhance regional cardiovascular care quality in Kagoshima Prefecture. The program includes registry-based data collection, awareness activities, and the 'Kagoshima Style' medical education program.
• CancerScan Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2023Amgen K.K. partnered with CancerScan to support local government health promotion programs, particularly for osteoporosis disease awareness and fracture prevention in the context of Japan's super-aging society.
• Forest Dance Inc. (森と踊る株式会社)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2022Amgen K.K. partnered with Forest Dance Inc. for environmental sustainability workshops at Hachiouji Forest in Tokyo, supporting employee engagement and biodiversity conservation as part of Amgen's ESG strategy.
• NPO Lung Cancer Patient Association One StepminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 11 May 2022Amgen K.K. co-hosted an online seminar 'Finding Your Way to Live' with the lung cancer patient association, focusing on patient empowerment, advance care planning, and improving quality of life for lung cancer patients.
• Carepro Co., Ltd.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 September 2021Amgen K.K. and Carepro co-organized bone health screening programs targeting residents of senior condominiums, combining QUS bone density measurements, FRAX risk assessments, and nurse-led follow-up support for osteoporosis early detection and treatment referral.
• Housers Care Design Co., Ltd.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 September 2021Amgen K.K. and Housers Care Design co-organized bone health screening programs at senior housing complexes in the Tokyo area, leveraging resident nurses and regional orthopedic clinic connections for osteoporosis early detection.
• Locomotive Challenge! Promotion Council (ロコモ チャレンジ！推進協議会)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 September 2021Amgen K.K. co-organized bone health screening programs with the Locomotive Challenge! Promotion Council and the Japan Osteoporosis Foundation, providing educational materials on osteoporosis and locomotive syndrome.
• Japan Osteoporosis Foundation (公益財団法人 骨粗鬆症財団)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 July 2021Amgen K.K. sponsors the Japan Osteoporosis Foundation's annual research grants program (since FY2020) to support clinical research for osteoporosis prevention and fracture reduction. Grant amount is 1 million yen per project for up to 10 projects annually.
• MICIN, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 January 2021Amgen K.K. and MICIN jointly launched a verification program to assess treatment satisfaction of chronic headache patients using online consultations via MICIN's 'curon' platform. The program tests effective communication methods and diagnostic approaches in telemedicine for headache patients.
• Amgen Inc. (Parent Company)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2020Amgen K.K. became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ: AMGN) in April 2020, transitioning from the joint venture Astellas-Amgen BioPharma (AABP). Amgen K.K. operates as the Japanese subsidiary, implementing Amgen's global pipeline and manufacturing standards in Japan.
• The University of Tokyo (ABE Partner)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020The University of Tokyo is the coordinating institution for Amgen Biotech Experience (ABE) in Japan since 2020. University researchers provide teacher training and demonstration sessions, with equipment and materials provided by Amgen Foundation. 27 schools and 531 students participated by 2024.
• The University of TokyocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015The University of Tokyo is Amgen's key partner for science education in Japan. Since 2015, UTokyo has co-hosted the Amgen Scholars Program (ASP) in Japan, hosting students from 9 countries for research internships. UTokyo also hosts the Amgen Biotech Experience (ABE) for high school students and teachers, reaching 27 schools and 531 students by 2024.
• Kyoto UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Kyoto University is a key partner for Amgen's science education programs in Japan. Since 2015, Kyoto University has co-hosted the Amgen Scholars Program (ASP), accepting students from 8 countries for research experience alongside the University of Tokyo.
• Astellas Pharma Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2013Astellas-Amgen BioPharma (AABP) was established in October 2013 as a 50/50 joint venture between Astellas Pharma and Amgen Inc., focusing on bone diseases, cardiovascular disease, oncology, and neurology in Japan. In April 2020, Amgen acquired full ownership and renamed the entity to Amgen K.K.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Regeneron Pharmaceuticals: US biotech with overlapping franchises in cardiovascular (PCSK9 via Repatha collaboration with Amgen), ophthalmology (Eylea), immunology (Dupixent), and oncology bispecifics. Direct overlap on the PCSK9 inhibitor mechanism makes Regeneron a competitor despite its US-centric footprint.

Direct peers

• Astellas Pharma Inc. Major Japanese pharmaceutical company that was Amgen's 50/50 joint venture partner (2013-2020) before Amgen acquired full ownership. Highly comparable given the historical co-development of bone, CV, oncology, and neurology products in Japan, and overlapping NHI-driven GTM model.
• Sanofi K.K. Japan subsidiary of Sanofi with specialty-care franchises across immunology (Dupixent), rare disease, and vaccines. Comparable enterprise-pharma GTM model, NHI pricing exposure, and biologics-led portfolio strategy.
• Novartis Pharma K.K. Japan subsidiary of Novartis, operating with a comparable enterprise-pharma GTM (MRs, specialist sales, hospital channel), NHI reimbursement exposure, and broad specialty portfolio spanning oncology, cardiovascular, and rare disease.
• Pfizer Japan Inc. Japan operating company of Pfizer, one of the largest multinational pharma subsidiaries in Japan. Comparable in scale, regulatory footprint, NHI-driven pricing, and broad innovator-biologics portfolio spanning oncology, rare disease, and immunology.
• Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Roche's Japanese subsidiary and Japan's leading biopharmaceutical company focused on biologics, monoclonal antibodies, and specialty therapeutics. Directly comparable as a Japan-domiciled innovator-biologics subsidiary with similar product mix (innovator mAbs, oncology, bone, rare disease) and national-health-insurance pricing exposure.
• AbbVie GK: Japan subsidiary of AbbVie focused on immunology, oncology, and neuroscience. Comparable innovator-biologics operator in Japan with similar hospital/specialty channel distribution; AbbVie also overlaps with Amgen on Behcet's/immunology and oncology entry into Japan.
• AstraZeneca K.K. Japan subsidiary of AstraZeneca with significant oncology, CVRM, and rare-disease franchises distributed through MR-led field sales and NHI reimbursement. Directly comparable to Amgen K.K. on GTM motion and therapeutic-area overlap (lung cancer, CV, rare disease).

Broad incumbents

• Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited: Japan's largest domestic pharmaceutical company with broad specialty, oncology, rare-disease, and neuroscience franchises. Comparable on Japan-domiciled innovator pharma with NHI exposure, though Takeda is a global incumbent rather than a multinational subsidiary.
• Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd. Japanese specialty pharmaceutical company that previously partnered with Amgen (Kyowa Amgen JV, 1984) for biologics in Japan. Comparable mid-cap Japan-listed biopharma with strong specialty/rare-disease franchises and NHI pricing exposure.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@Amgen
• Facebookfacebook.com/amgenjapan
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/amgen-astellas-biopharma

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Amgen Astellas BioPharma