How Amgen Combines Life-Saving Biotech & Sustainability

The pharmaceutical industry faces mounting challenges from climate change, with rising temperatures threatening drug integrity during transportation, severe weather events disrupting critical infrastructure and supply chains experiencing unprecedented pressure.

Amgen, a global biotechnology leader, is working to address these sustainability challenges while continuing to deliver medicines to millions of patients worldwide.

In the company's 2024 Sustainability Report, Robert Bradway, Chairman and CEO, says: "At Amgen, our mission is to serve patients.

"Every day, our talented people around the world show their dedication to our mission by discovering, developing, manufacturing and delivering innovative medicines that can make a big difference against the world's most serious and prevalent diseases.

"Guided by our values, we seek to achieve responsible and sustainable growth that benefits patients, shareholders, customers, employees and suppliers."

Amgen has been ranked 58th in Sustainability Magazine’s Top 250 World’s Most Sustainable Companies list for 2025.

Amgen's global operations

Established in 1980, Amgen derives its name from Applied Molecular Genetics, its original name.

The biotechnology firm focuses on developing, manufacturing and distributing medicines for serious illnesses.

The company operates manufacturing sites across the US, including facilities in California, Rhode Island, North Carolina, Ohio and Puerto Rico.

Its international presence extends to Ireland, the Netherlands and Singapore.

During 2024, Amgen allocated US$6bn towards research and development activities.

Environmental targets and progress

Amgen has set a range of environmental objectives to be achieved by 2027.

The company aims to reach carbon neutrality across Scopes 1 and 2 for its operations and owned facilities.

With 2019 as a baseline year, the firm targets a 40% reduction in water consumption and a 75% decrease in waste disposal.

These goals have received validation from the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi).

The company also plans to engage with 73% of its suppliers by spend in key categories to encourage their adoption of science-based targets.

According to Amgen's 2024 Sustainability Report, the company has achieved 69% of its targeted carbon reduction, 57% of its water reduction goal and 66% of its waste disposal reduction target as of 2024.

The firm purchased renewable energy which covered 90% of electricity across its facilities.

In 2024, Amgen opened a biomanufacturing facility in New Albany, Ohio, the first fully electric site in its portfolio.

The approximately 27,870 square metre facility received a US$900m expansion announcement in 2025.

Innovative manufacturing approaches

Amgen Ecovation represents the company's methodology for integrating sustainability into manufacturing processes, embedded throughout the design, development and execution phases.

When designing new buildings or upgrading existing facilities, Amgen works towards achieving standards comparable to LEED Gold certification.

The company selects materials and equipment that will advance energy efficiency and reduce natural resource consumption.

Building designs incorporate provisions for rooftop and campus solar panels, combined with aerobic food digesters to minimise waste destined for landfills.

Traditional commercial biologic medicine production typically requires substantial floor space and large steel bioreactors connected through extensive piping systems.

Amgen has developed a more efficient manufacturing and packaging approach that reduces facility footprint while potentially helping to lower emissions and conserve resources.

Manufacturing and packaging facilities in Rhode Island, Ohio and Singapore use this streamlined process.