Amgen Signs Agreement With Genesis Pharma For Distribution in Greece and Cyprus.

Business Editors

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. and ATHENS, Greece--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Jan. 18, 2001

Amgen (Nasdaq:AMGN), a leading independent biotechnology company, and Genesis Pharma, S.A. announced today they signed an agreement granting Genesis certain exclusive rights to distribute, market and sell ARANESP(TM), (darbepoetin alfa), for the treatment of anemia, in Greece and Cyprus. ARANESP is currently under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicine Evaluation Agency for the treatment of anemia resulting from chronic renal failure.

ARANESP may treat anemia with less frequent dosing than Epoetin alfa, thereby simplifying anemia management for physicians, which may lead to more patients being treated for this serious condition.

"This agreement confirms Amgen's commitment to expand its business in all European Union countries," said Aart Brouwer, Vice President, Amgen Europe. "Genesis is a strong player in the Greek pharmaceutical market and has the reach and capabilities to bring this novel biotechnological medicine to the patients and their physicians," he added.

"We are very enthusiastic that Amgen has entrusted Genesis to launch ARANESP in Greece and Cyprus, if approved," said Costas Evripides, Managing Director of Genesis Pharma.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve significant risks and uncertainties, including those discussed below and more fully described in the Securities and Exchange Commission reports filed by Amgen, including Amgen's most recent Form 10-Q. Amgen conducts research in the biotechnology/pharmaceutical field where movement from concept to product is uncertain; consequently, there can be no guarantee that any particular product candidate will be successful and become a commercial product.

Furthermore, Amgen's research, testing, pricing, marketing and other operations are subject to extensive regulation by domestic and foreign government regulatory authorities. In addition, sales of Amgen's products are affected by reimbursement policies imposed by third party payors, including governments, private insurance plans and managed care providers. These government regulations and reimbursement policies may affect the development, usage and pricing of Amgen's products.

In addition, while Amgen routinely obtain patents for products and technology, the protection offered by Amgen's patents and patent applications may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented by competitors.

Because forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from current results expected by Amgen. Amgen is providing this information as of January 18, 2001 and does not plan to update this information until its next press release and expressly disclaims any duty to update information contained in this press release.

Amgen is a global biotechnology company that discovers, develops, manufactures and markets cost-effective human therapeutics based on advances in cellular and molecular biology.

Genesis Pharma, a member of the MSJ Group and located in Athens, is focused on the marketing, sales and distribution of specialized pharmaceutical products, mainly biotechnological medicines.

EDITOR'S NOTE: An electronic version of this news release may be accessed via our web site at www.Amgen.com. Visit the Corporate Center and click on Amgen News. Journalists and media representatives may sign up to receive all news releases electronically at time of announcement by filling out a short form in the Amgen News section of the web site.