Amgen agreed to acquire Oxford University spinout Dark Blue Therapeutics for up to $840 million to add a preclinical small‑molecule degrader aimed at MLLT1/3‑driven acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The transaction folds Dark Blue’s protein‑degradation chemistry and earlier discovery programs into Amgen’s oncology R&D, accelerating Amgen’s targeted‑degrader and leukemia efforts. Dark Blue’s lead program showed preclinical anti‑cancer activity and mechanistic differentiation, and Amgen framed the buy as an early investment to broaden its leukemia and targeted‑protein‑degradation capabilities. The deal also brings Oxford‑origin science and a discovery pipeline that Amgen expects to integrate into its existing research organization.