Amgen targets acute myeloid leukemia with USD840M Dark Blue Therapeutics deal

UK—American pharmaceutical giant Amgen has launched the new year with a major acquisition, agreeing to purchase UK-based biotech company Dark Blue Therapeutics for up to USD840 million.

The deal represents the first pharmaceutical takeover of 2026 and signals Amgen’s renewed appetite for strategic acquisitions after a notable period of deal inactivity.

The acquisition centers on Dark Blue’s promising oncology pipeline, particularly its lead candidate DBT 3757.

This experimental drug functions as a protein degrader that targets MLLT1/3, proteins involved in certain types of blood cancers.

Scientists at Dark Blue have been preparing the therapy for investigational new drug studies, which represent a critical step before human clinical trials can begin.

The company has developed DBT 3757 specifically to treat acute myeloid leukemia, a aggressive blood cancer that affects bone marrow and blood cells.

Preclinical research has already demonstrated the therapy’s potential to fight cancer cells effectively.

Dark Blue believes DBT 3757 offers a unique advantage because it works differently from existing treatments on the market.

The company suggests the drug could help patients maintain remission for longer periods, addressing a significant challenge in acute myeloid leukemia treatment.

Doctors may eventually use DBT 3757 either alone or alongside other established therapies, potentially giving them more flexibility in treating patients.

Jay Bradner, who serves as Amgen’s executive vice president of research and development, emphasized that the acquisition aligns with the company’s broader strategy.

He explained that Amgen focuses on making early investments in emerging therapies that target novel biological mechanisms.

Analysts at Citi shared this optimistic view, predicting that integrating Dark Blue’s research team into Amgen’s operations could strengthen the company’s early-stage oncology programs.

The California-based pharmaceutical company plans to fold Dark Blue Therapeutics into its existing research division following the merger.

This acquisition marks Amgen’s first major deal since its massive USD27.8 billion purchase of Horizon Therapeutics in 2023.

The company experienced a significant slowdown in deal activity afterward, signing only one licensing agreement and one development partnership throughout 2024.

Amgen did not announce any similar agreements in 2025, making this acquisition particularly noteworthy.

Amgen appears determined to accelerate its dealmaking efforts in the new year.

Just one day after announcing the Dark Blue acquisition, the company revealed another oncology agreement with DISCO Pharmaceuticals valued at up to USD618 million.

These back-to-back announcements suggest Amgen is actively seeking opportunities to expand its cancer treatment portfolio.

Beyond oncology, Amgen has been working to establish itself in the competitive obesity treatment market.

This space has proven highly lucrative for pharmaceutical companies like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, which have generated substantial revenue from their GLP-1 receptor agonist therapies.

Amgen has developed its own investigational treatment called maridebart carfraglutide, commonly referred to as MariTide.

The drug combines a GLP-1 agonist with a GIP receptor antagonist, representing a different approach to weight management.

Industry analysts and medical experts initially expressed strong enthusiasm for MariTide, with some describing it as a potential game changer in obesity treatment.

However, recent concerns have emerged about whether the drug might reduce bone mineral density in patients.

Amgen has pushed back against these worries, stating the company has not observed any connection between MariTide administration and changes in bone density.

Despite facing these development challenges, Amgen continues advancing the drug through late-stage clinical trials.

Citi analysts have noted that Amgen’s obesity pipeline will remain a central focus for investors and industry observers watching the company’s progress.