Amgen Inc. — Ethics Grade C

Amgen Inc. receives an overall ethics grade of C (52/100) on CancelCo's corporate accountability database. Sector: Pharmaceuticals. Market cap: Large Cap.

Category scores

• labor: 70
• privacy: 75
• consumer: 30
• environment: 65
• humanRights: 60

Documented incidents (3)

• $7B Tax Deficiency (high, 2022) — The IRS alleged Amgen avoided billions in taxes by shifting profits to a subsidiary in Puerto Rico. The dispute highlights aggressive corporate tax avoidance strategies in the pharma sector.
• Illegal Promotion of Aranesp (high, 2012) — Amgen pleaded guilty to illegally marketing the anemia drug Aranesp for unapproved uses. The company agreed to pay nearly $762 million to settle criminal and civil liability.
• Enbrel Patent Thicket (medium, 2019) — Amgen has been criticized for creating a 'patent thicket' around the drug Enbrel, extending its monopoly and blocking cheaper biosimilars from entering the market, keeping costs high for patients.

Documented good deeds

• Amgen Biotech Experience — Invested millions in free biotechnology education programs for high school teachers and students globally.

Ethical alternatives

• Regeneron — Higher ranking in ethical drug pricing transparency reports.