Incorporated in 1980, Amgen is the world's largest biotechnology company engaged in the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of human therapeutics based on advances in cellular and molecular biology. Amgen’s research and development programmes focus primarily on hematology, oncology, inflammation, neurology and metabolic disorders. In July 2002, the group acquired Immunex Corporation, a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing immune system science to protect human health.