Amgen and Genentech Sign License Agreements For Antibody Patents

Business Wire, Jan 26, 2006

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. & SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) and Genentech Inc. (NYSE:DNA) today announced that they have entered into license agreements granting licenses to each other under multiple patents relating to the manufacture and use of antibodies and related technology. These agreements include a grant by Genentech to Amgen of a license for multiple antibodies under the Cabilly patent family (U.S. Patent No. 6,331,415 et al.) relating in part to methods of producing immunoglobulins.

Financial details of the license agreements were not disclosed.

About Amgen

Amgen discovers, develops and delivers innovative human therapeutics. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen was one of the first companies to realize the new science's promise by bringing safe and effective medicines from lab, to manufacturing plant, to patient. Amgen therapeutics have changed the practice of medicine, helping millions of people around the world in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other serious illnesses. With a broad and deep pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people's lives. To learn more about our pioneering science and our vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com.

About Genentech

Genentech is a leading biotechnology company that discovers, develops, manufactures, and commercializes biotherapeutics for significant unmet medical needs. A considerable number of the currently approved biotechnology products originated from or are based on Genentech science. Genentech manufactures and commercializes multiple biotechnology products and licenses several additional products to other companies. The company has headquarters in South San Francisco, Calif., and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DNA. For additional information about the company, please visit http://www.gene.com.