Amgen Dedicates Epogen Plant in Colorado

Amgen has dedicated a manufacturing facility in Longmont, Colo., which initially will produce Epoetin alfa, a protein marketed in the United States under the name Epogen.

The drug is used to treat dialysis patients who suffer from anemia associated with kidney failure.

Amgen officials said the Longmont plant eventually will produce other drugs as well.

“The dedication of the Longmont Manufacturing Facility is the culmination of three years of work by Amgen people and the many contractors working on this project,” said Gordon Binder, chairman and chief executive. “It is a significant milestone in Amgen’s transition to a multi-product company.”

Faced with increasing demand for Epoetin alfa, Amgen decided in 1995 to build a new plant. The site has four buildings and three times the production capacity of Amgen’s Thousand Oaks plant.

“Amgen chose Longmont . . . because of its close proximity to [the company’s] manufacturing plants in Boulder and its very supportive business environment,” said Dennis Fenton, senior vice president of operations.

Amgen’s current Colorado operations occupy nine buildings and employ nearly 450 people. The company expects approximately 225 employees to be working in Longmont by the end of the year.