HEALTH

Amgen’s Research Chief to Resign: The Thousand Oaks biotechnology giant said Daniel Vapnek will leave when a successor is ready to take over as senior vice president of research. After his retirement, Vapnek, 57, will continue to work with Amgen as a consultant and advisor on strategic alliances and may also become involved with a smaller company in a consulting or venture capitalist role. The 15-year Amgen veteran oversaw the development of two blockbuster drugs: Epogen, which stimulates red blood cell production in kidney dialysis patients, and Neupogen, which boosts infection-fighting white blood cells in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Amgen said it will probably name an internal candidate as Vapnek’s replacement.