Historical Note
Scientists Steven Gillis and Christopher Henney, along with
businessman Stephen Duzan, founded Immunex in July 1981. They envisioned the
company's mission as developing, producing, and licensing diagnostic and
therapeutic immunological products. Its successful drugs included LEUKINE
(sargramostin) for patients undergoing bone marrow transplants, NOVANTRONE for
multiple sclerosis, and ENBREL (etanercept), an anti-inflammatory used to treat
arthritis. By 2001 Immunex was the largest biotechnology company in Washington
State. At the end of that year, Amgen acquired the company for $16 billion.
See the "What's Made Us Immunex" book for a more complete history.
Content Description
This collection documents the public face of Immunex from its founding
to its merger with Amgen. Donations were restricted to items in the public
domain; therefore it does not include correspondence, internal memos, and the
like. The annual reports show not only the growth of the company throughout its
existence but also the changing way it portrayed itself to investors and other
interested parties. News clippings document the way in which the company, its
finances, and its products were viewed. Materials such as marketing brochures
and slide programs show the way in which the company sold its products and
spread the word about its science. Finally, a stock prospectus and the merger
prospectus shed light on the finances of the corporation.
Several items in the collection require explanation:
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Immunex values: These statements of values important to the culture of
Immunex were created by a committee of employees. The original color documents
were framed and hung in the company's offices.
-
"What's Made Us Immunex": This book was created by two professional writers working
with a committee of Immunex employees.
-
Immunex Biotech Brain Quiz video: These 30-second spots were shown on the scoreboard at Safeco
Field during Mariners baseball games.
-
Wall of Fame: These documents were framed and displayed at Immunex
headquarters. They represent important moments in the company's history.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Access The collection is open to the public by appointment.
Restrictions on Use The Museum of History & Industry is the owner of the materials in
the Sophie Frye Bass Library and makes available reproductions for research,
publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from MOHAI
before any reproduction use. The museum does not necessarily hold copyright to
all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may
require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.
Preferred Citation Immunex Corporation Collection, Museum of History & Industry,
Seattle