Amgen Buys Rights to Obesity-Gene Products

Amgen Inc., a Thousand Oaks-based biotechnology company, said it has paid $20 million for an exclusive license to develop products based on the discovery of a gene that is thought to play a role in the regulation of human body weight.

The license was purchased from The Rockefeller University in New York City, where researchers discovered the gene. Amgen officials said they hope the license will enable the company to develop products for the treatment of obesity.

Under the agreement, Amgen will have to make even larger payments to the university if so-called “milestones” in the development of a weight-control drug are reached. Such milestones might include obtaining permission from the federal Food and Drug Administration to test the drug on volunteers, Amgen said. If years from now a drug can be developed and brought to market, Amgen would also be required to pay sales royalties to the university.