Amgen announced it has acquired Dark Blue Therapeutics, a privately held biotechnology company based in the United Kingdom focused on first-in-class, small-molecule targeted protein degraders for oncology, in a transaction valued at up to $840 million. The acquisition expands Amgen’s early oncology discovery portfolio and adds an investigational program aimed at a subset of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), an aggressive blood cancer where relapse and treatment resistance remain common challenges.
The core asset Amgen is gaining is an investigational small molecule designed to target and degrade two related proteins—MLLT1 and MLLT3—that are described as drivers of specific types of AML. Amgen said preclinical studies in leukemia models have shown promising anti-cancer activity and a differentiated mechanism compared with currently available therapies. The company said the data support a development rationale for use both as a single agent and in combination regimens, with the aim of addressing resistance and improving the durability of remission.
Amgen framed the acquisition as part of a broader strategy to invest in novel targets and mechanisms earlier in the innovation cycle, particularly in areas where it believes its scientific capabilities can accelerate translation from discovery to clinical testing. Jay Bradner, Amgen’s executive vice president of Research and Development, said AML remains among the most difficult cancers to treat and argued that new mechanisms are needed to change outcomes for patients. He also said the acquisition complements Amgen’s work in targeted protein degradation and leukemia therapeutics, and that the company believes the scientific adjacency to its cancer biology expertise can help push an MLLT1/3-targeting program into clinical investigation.
Operationally, Amgen said it plans to integrate Dark Blue Therapeutics into its existing research organization. By folding the team and program into Amgen’s R&D structure, the company is positioning the asset within its early-stage oncology discovery engine, which could allow it to leverage internal capabilities such as translational research, preclinical modeling, biomarker strategy, and combination-development planning—areas that are increasingly important for oncology programs moving from proof-of-concept biology into human trials.
Financial terms were not broken out beyond the headline value of “up to $840 million,” indicating the consideration likely includes an upfront component plus potential milestones tied to development, regulatory, or commercial progress. Amgen did not provide a timeline for when it expects the MLLT1/3-targeting molecule to enter clinical studies, but said the acquisition is intended to advance the program toward clinical investigation.
The announcement comes as Amgen continues to emphasize a “broad and deep” pipeline across multiple therapeutic areas, including oncology.
KEY QUOTE:
“Acute myeloid leukemia remains one of the most difficult cancers to treat, and we see an urgent need for new mechanisms capable of changing the trajectory of this disease. This acquisition complements and extends our research in targeted protein degradation and leukemia therapeutics, advancing our strategy to invest early in rising medicines for novel therapeutic targets.”
Jay Bradner, M.D., Executive Vice President of Research and Development, Amgen
