Local impact of Amgen cuts unclear

BOULDER – Biotechnology giant Amgen Inc. confirmed Monday that it plans to cut an undisclosed number of jobs from an undisclosed location or locations.

A spokeswoman at Thousand Oaks, California-based Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN) said that a “transition of work will impact a small number of regular Amgen staff positions.” No specifics were given about where the jobs are located, said Christine Regan, the spokeswoman. Amgen has about 700 employees working at its plants in Longmont and Boulder.

Amgen employees who face job cuts were notified on Wednesday, June 13, Regan said.

“We have decided to consolidate some of our vendor-supported work and other selected activities under one central supplier to help us operate more efficiently and advance our large late-stage pipeline,” Regan said in an emailed statement.

Amgen had about 17,800 employees in its worldwide workforce as of Dec. 31. Colorado’s Department of Labor and Employment had received no notice of cuts in Boulder or Longmont as of Monday, said Bill Thoennes, a spokesman. If 50 or more jobs are cut, a company must file a notice with the state.

Anemia drugs Aranesp and Epogen both are made in bulk at the plant in Longmont. The Boulder plant has been known for research and development projects. In June 2011, Amgen said it would eliminate 93 jobs in Longmont and 41 in Boulder to align with current manufacturing demand, according to information filed with the state of Colorado at the time.

Those cuts were effective Aug. 1, 2011 and were in manufacturing, business services, quality and facilities and engineering, according to a company spokeswoman.

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