Amgen has recently acquired Dark Blue Therapeutics, a privately held biotechnology company based in the United Kingdom, in a transaction valued at up to 840 million USD Dollar. The deal expands Amgen’s oncology research portfolio with a first-in-class small molecule programme focused on targeted protein degradation.

The company is advancing investigational small molecules designed to target and degrade MLLT1 and MLLT3 proteins, which are key drivers of specific subtypes of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). AML is an aggressive blood cancer with limited treatment options and high unmet medical need.

According to Amgen, preclinical studies in leukemia models have shown promising anti-cancer activity, along with a differentiated mechanism of action compared with existing therapies. The programme has demonstrated potential for both single-agent and combination use, with the aim of overcoming treatment resistance and improving the durability of remission in AML patients.

Jay Bradner, Executive Vice President of Research and Development, Amgen, said, The acquisition reflects Amgen’s commitment to investing early in innovative medicines with novel mechanisms. AML remains one of the most challenging cancers to treat and MLLT1/3-targeting protein degraders could help change the disease’s trajectory.”

Amgen plans to integrate Dark Blue Therapeutics into its existing research organisation, strengthening its early-stage oncology discovery capabilities and advancing the MLLT1/3 programme toward clinical development.

The acquisition aligns with Amgen’s broader strategy to build a deep oncology pipeline by leveraging its expertise in cancer biology and emerging therapeutic modalities, including targeted protein degradation.