In December 1994, Synergen Inc (NASDAQ:SYGN) was acquired by Amgen - itself having been, in its very early days, an SBIR awardee. Post acquisition, Synergen was renamed Amgen Boulder. Before the acquisiton, having sometimes been referenced as the 'next' Amgen, the firm had been working on protein-based pharmaceuticals including ones to treat Lou Gehrig's disease, Parkinson's disease and rheumatoid arthritis. The company was dealt a major setback when it was reported that a new drug, Antril, which would have been used to fight the blood disease sepsis, had failed in tests. The drug's failure forced the company to lay off 60 percent of its work force. At the time of acqusition, the company had had five products in development which were aimed at treating inflammatory and neurological disorders. The company subsequently entered into phase three of clinical trials on two of its products, Antril and ciliary neurotrophic factor. From early dats, Synergen company had been involved in range of working relationships with other major pharmaceutical companies and that continued after the acquisition.
