Amgen Under Fire for Ties to Breeder Cited for Animal Welfare Violations

Animal rights activists are pressuring Amgen to cut ties with Marshall BioResources, a breeder that supplies beagles and other animals for laboratory research. Demonstrators gathered outside Amgen's Thousand Oaks campus on August 3, holding 'Save the Dogs' placards and photos of beagles.

The activist group Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) alleged in a statement that Marshall BioResources has been cited multiple times under the Animal Welfare Act since 2007. The breeder disputes these claims, stating that USDA inspections have found no issues.

Amgen referred readers to its animal-research ethics webpage, which states the company's commitment to applying 'the highest standards of animal care' for animal welfare.

The protesters are pushing for Amgen and other major pharmaceutical companies to end their relationships with Marshall BioResources. They also promote alternatives to animal testing, such as organoids and computer models that estimate toxicity.