Amgen has agreed to acquire UK-based biotech Dark Blue Therapeutics for up to $840m, making it the first pharma takeover of 2026.
Through this transaction, Amgen will gain access to Dark Blue’s pipeline of oncology assets – including DBT 3757, an investigational myeloid/lymphoid leukaemia translocation 1 and 3 (MLLT1/3)-targeted protein degrader.
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Currently in investigational new drug (IND)-enabling studies, DBT 3757 is being developed for the treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), with preclinical work having already highlighted its anticancer potential.
According to Dark Blue, the therapy’s differential mechanism to marketed treatments, as well as its potential to boost the durability of AML remission, builds rationale for the drug’s further development, which may be used both as a monotherapy and in combination with other AML treatment options.
Amgen’s executive VP of R&D, Jay Bradner, noted that the acquisition would assist the company’s strategy of “investing early into rising medicines” that harness novel therapeutic targets.
Citi analysts echoed this sentiment, noting: “The anticipated integration of Dark Blue’s research organisation into Amgen could further drive early oncology pipeline strength.”
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By GlobalDataFollowing this merger, Dark Blue Therapeutics is anticipated to integrate into Amgen’s existing research division.
Amgen ramps up dealmaking strategy
Amgen’s acquisition of Dark Blue Therapeutics marks the first M&A activity the California-based pharma has engaged in since its $27.8bn acquisition of biopharmaceutical company Horizon Therapeutics in 2023. This puts an end to a deal drought for Amgen, which saw the company sign one licensing and development agreement, respectively, in 2024, with no deals of this nature getting the green light in 2025.
Amgen appears to be on the dealmaking front foot in 2026. A day after announcing the Dark Blue takeover, Amgen revealed it had signed an oncology licensing deal with DISCO Pharmaceuticals worth up to $618m.
Alongside its movements in oncology, Amgen is eyeing entry into the obesity segment, an area where Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have recorded high drug sales through their respective glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs).
Amgen has its own investigational GLP-1 agonist and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor (GIP) antagonist called maridebart carfraglutide – otherwise known as MariTide.
While GlobalData analysts and key opinion leaders previously had high hopes for the therapy, calling it a potential “game changer” within the obesity space, concerns around the drug’s potential to diminish bone density have been raised. However, Amgen has refuted these claims, stating that the company “does not see an association between the administration of MariTide and bone mineral density changes”.
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Despite its rocky development path, Amgen is advancing MariTide’s late-stage development programme.
According to Citi analysts, Amgen’s obesity pipeline will “remain key to the narrative”.
