Amgen vs Nestlé: Founders, CEOs and History
Amgen was founded in 1980 by George B. Rathmann, William K. Bowes Jr. and is led by Robert A. Bradway. Nestlé was founded in 1866 by Henri Nestlé, Charles Page, George Page and is led by Philipp Navratil.
Company facts
Founders
Amgen
George B. Rathmann
Amgen, originally incorporated as Applied Molecular Genetics, was founded in 1980 not by a single scientist, but by a calculated syndicate of venture capitalists and academics trying to commercialize the brand-new science of recombinant DNA.
William K. Bowes Jr.
William K. Bowes Jr. Was the venture capital strategist whose vision catalyzed Amgen's formation.
Nestlé
Henri Nestlé
Henri Nestlé (1814-1890) developed Farine Lactée in 1867, a milk-and-cereal infant food for babies who could not be breastfed. Its success gave the company his name and nest logo. He sold the business in 1875.
Charles Page
Charles Page (1838-1873) was an American diplomat who recognized the potential for producing high-quality condensed milk utilizing Switzerland's abundant fresh milk supply. In 1866, he co-founded the Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company with his brother George.
George Page
George Page co-founded the Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company in 1866 and led it as it grew in Europe, selling condensed milk under the Milkmaid brand. He died in 1899, before the 1905 merger with Nestlé.
CEOs and their tenures
Amgen
- George B. Rathmann1980–1988
Chief Executive Officer
George Rathmann, a physical chemist who had run research and development at Abbott Laboratories, was named Amgen's first chief executive in 1980 and worked from a small trailer so that laboratory space could go to scientists.
Source - Gordon M. Binder1988–2000
Chief Executive Officer
Gordon Binder joined Amgen as chief financial officer in 1982 and led its June 1983 initial public offering.
Source - Kevin W. Sharer2000–2012
Chief Executive Officer
Kevin Sharer joined Amgen in 1992 as president and chief operating officer and became chairman and chief executive in 2000.
Source - Robert A. Bradway2012–present
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Robert Bradway became chief executive on May 23, 2012, succeeding Kevin Sharer as the fourth CEO in Amgen's history, and added the chairmanship at the start of 2013.
Source
Nestlé
- Peter Brabeck-Letmathe1997–2008
Chief Executive Officer
Under Brabeck-Letmathe Nestle expanded in pet care, ice cream and baby food and became more focused on nutrition and health. He became chairman in 2005 and stayed in that role until 2017.
Source - Paul Bulcke2008–2016
Chief Executive Officer
During his tenure Nestle grew its nutrition and health-science businesses and strengthened its position in emerging markets. He handed the chief executive role to Ulf Mark Schneider in 2017 and became chairman.
Source - Mark Schneider2017–2024
Chief Executive Officer
Under Schneider Nestle focused its portfolio on coffee, pet care, nutrition and health science, and sold water, skin-care and confectionery assets. The board replaced him in 2024 and Laurent Freixe took over.
Source - Laurent Freixe2024–2025
Former Chief Executive Officer
Served as CEO before the board appointed Philipp Navratil in September 2025.
Source - Philipp Navratil2025–present
Chief Executive Officer
Appointed CEO on September 1, 2025 and tasked with accelerating execution, efficiency, and the existing strategic direction.
Source
Timeline: Amgen and Nestlé side by side
1866Nestlé
Nestlé and Anglo-Swiss Origins
Henri Nestlé develops infant nutrition products while Charles and George Page found Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company.
1905Nestlé
Nestlé and Anglo-Swiss Merge
The merger creates the foundation of the modern Nestlé group.
1938Nestlé
Nescafé Launches
Nestlé launches Nescafé, one of the company's defining global brands.
1947Nestlé
Merger With Maggi
Nestle merged in 1947 with Alimentana, the maker of Maggi seasonings and soups.
1980Amgen
Applied Molecular Genetics is incorporated
Applied Molecular Genetics (AMGen) was incorporated on April 8, 1980 in Thousand Oaks, California, as the idea of venture capitalist William K. Bowes Jr. and a group of scientific collaborators.
1983Amgen
Nasdaq listing and the erythropoietin clone
Amgen completed its initial public offering on June 17, 1983, raising nearly US$40 million under chief financial officer Gordon Binder, and formally shortened its name to Amgen.
1984Amgen
Kirin-Amgen joint venture formed
Amgen and Kirin Brewery Company of Japan formed Kirin-Amgen in 1984 as a joint venture for the worldwide commercialization of erythropoietin.
1985Amgen
G-CSF cloned, leading to Neupogen
While Fu-Kuen Lin's team worked on erythropoietin, researcher Larry Souza and his group cloned and expressed human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in 1985.
1985Nestlé
Acquired Carnation
Nestlé acquired Carnation. Expanded Nestlé in dairy, coffee creamers, and pet food.
1988Nestlé
Rowntree Acquired
Nestle bought the British confectioner Rowntree Mackintosh in 1988, adding brands such as KitKat.
1989Amgen
FDA approves Epogen
The FDA approved Epogen (epoetin alfa) on June 1, 1989 for anemia in patients with chronic kidney failure on dialysis. It was the first commercial recombinant human erythropoietin. Epogen's U.S.
1991Amgen
Neupogen approved, giving Amgen a second franchise
The FDA approved Neupogen (filgrastim) in February 1991. By stimulating white blood cell production it reduced the risk of infection in cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced neutropenia.
1991Amgen
Amgen wins the erythropoietin patent fight
On March 6, 1991 the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld the Kirin-Amgen erythropoietin patent and ruled against Genetics Institute in Amgen v. Chugai Pharmaceutical and Genetics Institute.
2001Amgen
FDA approves Aranesp, the longer-acting EPO
Aranesp (darbepoetin alfa), an erythropoietin analogue with modified glycosylation and a longer half-life, was approved in 2001. Less frequent dosing than Epogen improved convenience and gave Amgen a newer, higher-priced product to migrate patients toward.
2001Nestlé
Ralston Purina Acquisition
Nestlé acquires Ralston Purina, transforming its pet care business.
2002Amgen
US$16 billion Immunex acquisition brings Enbrel in-house
Amgen completed its acquisition of Immunex Corporation on July 16, 2002, the largest biotechnology deal to that point at about US$16 billion in stock and cash.
2007Nestlé
Acquired Gerber
Nestlé acquired Gerber.
2010Amgen
Prolia and XGEVA create the bone health franchise
The FDA approved Prolia (denosumab) for postmenopausal osteoporosis in June 2010 and XGEVA, the same molecule at a higher dose, for prevention of skeletal-related events in cancer patients in November 2010.
2018Nestlé
Starbucks Global Consumer Products License
Nestlé obtains rights to market Starbucks-branded consumer packaged goods and food-service products outside Starbucks stores.
2019Amgen
US$13.4 billion purchase of Otezla from Celgene
Amgen agreed in August 2019 to buy worldwide rights to Otezla (apremilast) from Celgene for US$13.4 billion in cash, or about US$11.2 billion net of the present value of US$2.2 billion of anticipated future cash tax benefits, and closed on November 21, 2019.
2020Amgen
Amgen joins the Dow Jones Industrial Average
Amgen replaced Pfizer in the Dow Jones Industrial Average on August 31, 2020, becoming one of the thirty components in the index. Inclusion recognized the scale Amgen had reached and added passive demand from Dow-tracking funds.
2023Amgen
US$27.8 billion Horizon Therapeutics acquisition closes
Amgen completed the acquisition of Horizon Therapeutics plc on October 6, 2023 for US$116.50 per share in cash, an equity value of about US$27.8 billion, after settling FTC litigation with a behavioral consent decree.
2024Amgen
Imdelltra becomes the first T-cell engager for small cell lung cancer
The FDA granted accelerated approval to tarlatamab, sold as Imdelltra, on May 16, 2024 for extensive stage small cell lung cancer that has progressed on or after platinum-based chemotherapy.
2025Amgen
VESALIUS-CV extends the Repatha case to primary prevention
In November 2025 Amgen reported Phase 3 VESALIUS-CV results in more than 12,000 patients with atherosclerosis or diabetes but no prior heart attack or stroke.
2025Nestlé
Philipp Navratil Appointed CEO
Nestlé appoints Philipp Navratil CEO on September 1, 2025 following Laurent Freixe's departure.
2025Nestlé
Sales Reach CHF 89.5 Billion
Nestlé reports 2025 total sales of ~$107 billion (CHF 89.5 billion), net profit of ~$10.8 billion (CHF 9.0 billion), and UTOP margin of 16.1%.
2026Amgen
Medicare price setting reaches Enbrel and Otezla
Enbrel's negotiated Medicare price under the Inflation Reduction Act took effect on January 1, 2026, after it was named in the first round of ten drugs selected for negotiation.
2026Nestlé
Peranel Waters Joint Venture Announced
Nestlé and Platinum Equity agree to create Peranel, a 50:50 joint venture for Nestlé's waters and premium beverages business.
Acquisitions
Amgen
- Horizon Therapeutics plc2023$27.8B
- ChemoCentryx, Inc.2022$3.7B
- Five Prime Therapeutics2021$1.9B
- Celgene Otezla Business2019$13.4B
- Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.2013$10.4B
- DeCODE Genetics2012$415M
Nestlé
- Starbucks consumer-products license2018$7.2B
- Gerber2007$5.5B
- Ralston Purina2001$10.3B
- Carnation1985$3B
Questions about Amgen vs Nestlé
Who is the CEO of Amgen Inc. and Nestlé S.A.?
Amgen Inc. is led by Robert A. Bradway and Nestlé S.A. is led by Philipp Navratil. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Amgen Inc. founded vs Nestlé S.A.?
Nestlé S.A. was founded in 1866 — 114 years before Amgen Inc., which was founded in 1980. Nestlé S.A.'s longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Amgen Inc..
How many employees does Amgen Inc. have compared to Nestlé S.A.?
Amgen Inc. employs approximately 31,500 people, while Nestlé S.A. employs approximately 270,000. Nestlé S.A. has the larger workforce at 270,000 employees, compared to Amgen Inc.'s 31,500. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Amgen Inc. and Nestlé S.A. headquartered?
Amgen Inc. is headquartered in United States and Nestlé S.A. is headquartered in Switzerland. Their different home markets mean they may face different regulatory frameworks, tax regimes, and currency exposure.
Who founded Amgen Inc. and Nestlé S.A.?
Amgen Inc. was founded by George B. Rathmann, William K. Bowes Jr.. Nestlé S.A. was founded by Henri Nestlé, Charles Page, George Page.
Which company has a longer operating history — Amgen Inc. or Nestlé S.A.?
Nestlé S.A. has been operating for approximately 160 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Amgen Inc. has been in operation for around 46 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Amgen vs Nestlé overview