Amgen looks to Asia for testing opportunities, partners.

AMGEN, Inc., already considered the world s largest biotech, is now deepening its footprint in Asia. The Thousand Oaks-based company is establishing offices in India and China so it can better test its drugs in those markets--and potentially scout opportunities for industry partnerships.

Amgen is forming local affiliate companies in Hong Kong and Mumbai, India, with the capability to conduct clinical trials in India and East Asia, according to spokeswoman Mary Klein. She declined to comment on speculation in the Indian media that the company may be interested in partnerships that could lead to potential acquisition of drag discovery firms in those markets.

"We are open to working with drug development partners anywhere in the world, but do not currently have a targeted focus on Asia," Klem said.

The company's Asia-Pacific operations already include a wholly owned subsidiary in Japan, and commercial operations to sell its products in Australia and New Zealand. Initial activities in both Hong Kong and Mumbai will focus conducting clinical trials for several Amgen investigational drags, with enrollment expected to start next year.

Amgen, which has worldwide sales of more than $12 billion and an annual research budget of $1.3 billion, recently embarked the largest research and development expansion since the company's founding in 1980.

Staff reporter Deborah Crowe can be reached at [phone], ext. 232, or at [e-mail].