Amgen has set its sights on the lucrative Brazilian pharma market in two recent moves: a $215 million takeover of star-performer Bergamo of São Paulo, and a separate agreement to buy back rights to several of its own drugs licensed previously to Mantecorp, now a subsidiary of São Paulo–based Hypermarcas. Bergamo, which supplies Brazil's hospital sector with oncology treatments, has seen 19% growth over the past four years and earned $80 million in 2010 alone. The acquisition provides the Thousand Oaks, California, biotech with a large portfolio of marketed products, an experienced workforce and sales channels for its own products. In parallel, by buying back rights to its products from Hypermarcas, Amgen regains Mimpara (cinacalcet) for hyperparathyroidism and Vectibix (panitumumab) for colorectal carcinoma, which are already marketed in Brazil, along with Nplate (romiplostim), a platelet growth factor for immune thrombocytopenic purpura approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and under regulatory consideration in Brazil. According to Rolf Hoffman, senior vice president of Amgen's international commercial operations, the company sees potential for “strong future growth” in Brazil for biopharmaceuticals and biologics, and its recent deals allow immediate access to the market, in-country capability and a firm foundation on which to further build its business. The activity should complement Amgen's 2009 establishment of a clinical development hub in São Paulo to conduct clinical trials in Latin America. But the firm's international expansion coincides with shrinkage closer to home: the laying off of 134 employees in two Colorado plants.