Colorado is one of Amgen’s key manufacturing centers, creating a number of important therapeutics. Situated near Boulder, Amgen’s Longmont and Lake Centre facilities manufacture treatments for several conditions, including chemotherapy side effects, and anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease and osteoarthritis. Lake Centre produces Kineret (anakinra) along with palifermin and other pipeline product candidates in late-stage linical development, while Longmont is dedicated to the manufacture of EPOGEN (Epoetin alfa) and Aranesp (darbepoetin alfa).
Amgen’s strong ties to the community have led to the commitment of $1.5 million over the next three years to support science education, health, and medicine. When the final batch run of the Kineret Drug was completed, we demolished the existing fermentation centrifuge vessel/piping, installed a replacement, and reconnected with new tubing. We modified two of their existing oxidation tanks with new nozzles, baffles, and ran new CIP supply and return lines. We modified three fermentation vessels/piping and an acid tank. Most of the work was performed working four 10-hour days and two 8-hour days per week.