<XBRL>
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii"?>
<!--XBRL document created by RR Donnelley Tagger version 10.0.0.133; Copyright (C) RR Donnelley-->
<!--Based on XBRL 2.1-->
<link:linkbase xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd">
  <link:roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#AcquisitionsTables" roleURI="http://amgen.com/role/AcquisitionsTables" />
  <link:roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#AcquisitionsDetails" roleURI="http://amgen.com/role/AcquisitionsDetails" />
  <link:roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#AcquisitionsDetails1" roleURI="http://amgen.com/role/AcquisitionsDetails1" />
  <link:roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#AcuisitionsDetailsTextuals" roleURI="http://amgen.com/role/AcuisitionsDetailsTextuals" />
  <link:roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#CostSavingsInitiativesAndRestructuringDetails" roleURI="http://amgen.com/role/CostSavingsInitiativesAndRestructuringDetails" />
  <link:roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#AvailableForSaleInvestmentsDetails" roleURI="http://amgen.com/role/AvailableForSaleInvestmentsDetails" />
  <link:roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#AvailableforsaleInvestmentsDetails1" roleURI="http://amgen.com/role/AvailableforsaleInvestmentsDetails1" />
  <link:roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#FinancingArrangementsDetails" roleURI="http://amgen.com/role/FinancingArrangementsDetails" />
  <link:roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#FinancingArrangementsDetailsTextuals" roleURI="http://amgen.com/role/FinancingArrangementsDetailsTextuals" />
  <link:roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#FairValueMeasurementDetails" roleURI="http://amgen.com/role/FairValueMeasurementDetails" />
  <link:roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#FairValueMeasurementsDetails1" roleURI="http://amgen.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetails1" />
  <link:roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#FairValueMeasurementsDetailsTextuals" roleURI="http://amgen.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetailsTextuals" />
  <link:roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#DerivativeInstrumentsDetails" roleURI="http://amgen.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetails" />
  <link:roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#DerivativeInstrumentsDetails1" roleURI="http://amgen.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetails1" />
  <link:roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#DerivativeInstrumentsDetails2" roleURI="http://amgen.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetails2" />
  <link:roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#DerivativeInstrumentsDetails3" roleURI="http://amgen.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetails3" />
  <link:roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#DerivativeInstrumentsDetailsTextuals" roleURI="http://amgen.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetailsTextuals" />
  <link:roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#SubsequentEventsDetails" roleURI="http://amgen.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails" />
  <link:arcroleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#hypercube-dimension" arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" />
  <link:arcroleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-domain" arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" />
  <link:arcroleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-default" arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" />
  <link:arcroleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#domain-member" arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" />
  <link:arcroleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#all" arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" />
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (Line Items to Hypercube)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/AcquisitionsTables" xlink:title="0502 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Tables)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Domain Members -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/AcquisitionsTables" xlink:title="0502 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Tables)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_BiovexGroupIncMember" xlink:label="amgn_BiovexGroupIncMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_BiovexGroupIncMember" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (All)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/AcquisitionsTables" xlink:title="0502 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Tables)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" order="2" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Inheritance for Line Items:  us-gaap:BusinessAcquisitionLineItems-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/AcquisitionsTables" xlink:title="0502 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Tables)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityTextBlock" xlink:label="amgn_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityTextBlock" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationTextBlock" xlink:label="amgn_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationTextBlock" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="amgn_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityTextBlock" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="amgn_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationTextBlock" order="2" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Dimension Defaults -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/AcquisitionsTables" xlink:title="0502 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Tables)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (Line Items to Hypercube)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/AcquisitionsDetails" xlink:title="0602 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Domain Members -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/AcquisitionsDetails" xlink:title="0602 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_BiovexGroupIncMember" xlink:label="amgn_BiovexGroupIncMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_BiovexGroupIncMember" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (All)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/AcquisitionsDetails" xlink:title="0602 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" order="2" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Inheritance for Line Items:  us-gaap:BusinessAcquisitionLineItems-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/AcquisitionsDetails" xlink:title="0602 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityAbstract" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityAbstract" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityCashPaid" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityCashPaid" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionContingentConsiderationAtFairValue" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionContingentConsiderationAtFairValue" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityCashPaid" order="2" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionContingentConsiderationAtFairValue" order="3" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred" order="4" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Dimension Defaults -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/AcquisitionsDetails" xlink:title="0602 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (Line Items to Hypercube)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/AcquisitionsDetails1" xlink:title="06021 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Details 1)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Domain Members -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/AcquisitionsDetails1" xlink:title="06021 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Details 1)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_BiovexGroupIncMember" xlink:label="amgn_BiovexGroupIncMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_BiovexGroupIncMember" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (All)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/AcquisitionsDetails1" xlink:title="06021 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Details 1)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" order="2" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Inheritance for Line Items:  us-gaap:BusinessAcquisitionLineItems-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/AcquisitionsDetails1" xlink:title="06021 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Details 1)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationAbstract" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationAbstract" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationIntangibleAssetsNotAmortizable" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationIntangibleAssetsNotAmortizable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationGoodwillAmount" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationGoodwillAmount" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationDeferredIncomeTaxesLiabilities" xlink:label="amgn_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationDeferredIncomeTaxesLiabilities" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationOtherAssetsAndLiabilitiesAcquiredNet" xlink:label="amgn_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationOtherAssetsAndLiabilitiesAcquiredNet" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationIntangibleAssetsNotAmortizable" order="2" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationGoodwillAmount" order="3" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="amgn_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationDeferredIncomeTaxesLiabilities" order="4" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="amgn_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationOtherAssetsAndLiabilitiesAcquiredNet" order="5" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred" order="6" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Dimension Defaults -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/AcquisitionsDetails1" xlink:title="06021 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Details 1)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (Line Items to Hypercube)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/AcuisitionsDetailsTextuals" xlink:title="06022 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Details Textuals)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Domain Members -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/AcuisitionsDetailsTextuals" xlink:title="06022 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Details Textuals)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_BiovexGroupIncMember" xlink:label="amgn_BiovexGroupIncMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_BiovexGroupIncMember" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (All)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/AcuisitionsDetailsTextuals" xlink:title="06022 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Details Textuals)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" order="2" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Inheritance for Line Items:  us-gaap:BusinessAcquisitionLineItems-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/AcuisitionsDetailsTextuals" xlink:title="06022 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Details Textuals)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_AcquisitionsTextualsAbstract" xlink:label="amgn_AcquisitionsTextualsAbstract" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_BusinessAcquisitionPaymentToSettleUnvestedEmployeeOptions" xlink:label="amgn_BusinessAcquisitionPaymentToSettleUnvestedEmployeeOptions" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsRangeOfOutcomesValueHigh" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsRangeOfOutcomesValueHigh" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionContingentConsiderationAtFairValue" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionContingentConsiderationAtFairValue" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_DiscountRateOfEstimatedNetCashFlows" xlink:label="amgn_DiscountRateOfEstimatedNetCashFlows" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationGoodwillAmount" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationGoodwillAmount" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="amgn_BusinessAcquisitionPaymentToSettleUnvestedEmployeeOptions" order="2" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsRangeOfOutcomesValueHigh" order="3" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionContingentConsiderationAtFairValue" order="4" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="amgn_DiscountRateOfEstimatedNetCashFlows" order="5" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationGoodwillAmount" order="6" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Dimension Defaults -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/AcuisitionsDetailsTextuals" xlink:title="06022 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Details Textuals)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (Line Items to Hypercube)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/CostSavingsInitiativesAndRestructuringDetails" xlink:title="0605 - Disclosure - Cost savings initiatives (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_GainLossIncomeStatementLocationAxis" xlink:label="amgn_GainLossIncomeStatementLocationAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable" xlink:to="amgn_GainLossIncomeStatementLocationAxis" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Domain Members -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/CostSavingsInitiativesAndRestructuringDetails" xlink:title="0605 - Disclosure - Cost savings initiatives (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_GainLossIncomeStatementLocationAxis" xlink:label="amgn_GainLossIncomeStatementLocationAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_GainLossIncomeStatementLocationDomain" xlink:label="amgn_GainLossIncomeStatementLocationDomain" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_OtherChargesMember" xlink:label="amgn_OtherChargesMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="amgn_GainLossIncomeStatementLocationAxis" xlink:to="amgn_GainLossIncomeStatementLocationDomain" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="amgn_GainLossIncomeStatementLocationDomain" xlink:to="amgn_OtherChargesMember" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (Line Items to Hypercube)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/CostSavingsInitiativesAndRestructuringDetails" xlink:title="0605 - Disclosure - Cost savings initiatives (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_RestructuringPlansAxis" xlink:label="amgn_RestructuringPlansAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable" xlink:to="amgn_RestructuringPlansAxis" order="2" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Domain Members -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/CostSavingsInitiativesAndRestructuringDetails" xlink:title="0605 - Disclosure - Cost savings initiatives (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_RestructuringPlansAxis" xlink:label="amgn_RestructuringPlansAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_RestructuringPlanDomain" xlink:label="amgn_RestructuringPlanDomain" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_OptimizationOfManufacturingNetworkMember" xlink:label="amgn_OptimizationOfManufacturingNetworkMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="amgn_RestructuringPlansAxis" xlink:to="amgn_RestructuringPlanDomain" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="amgn_RestructuringPlanDomain" xlink:to="amgn_OptimizationOfManufacturingNetworkMember" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (Line Items to Hypercube)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/CostSavingsInitiativesAndRestructuringDetails" xlink:title="0605 - Disclosure - Cost savings initiatives (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostByTypeOfRestructuringAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostByTypeOfRestructuringAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostByTypeOfRestructuringAxis" order="3" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Domain Members -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/CostSavingsInitiativesAndRestructuringDetails" xlink:title="0605 - Disclosure - Cost savings initiatives (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostByTypeOfRestructuringAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostByTypeOfRestructuringAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_AssetImpairmentChargesMember" xlink:label="amgn_AssetImpairmentChargesMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostByTypeOfRestructuringAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain" xlink:to="amgn_AssetImpairmentChargesMember" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (All)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/CostSavingsInitiativesAndRestructuringDetails" xlink:title="0605 - Disclosure - Cost savings initiatives (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostLineItems" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable" order="4" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Inheritance for Line Items:  us-gaap:RestructuringAndRelatedCostLineItems-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/CostSavingsInitiativesAndRestructuringDetails" xlink:title="0605 - Disclosure - Cost savings initiatives (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_CostSavingsInitiativesTextualsAbstract" xlink:label="amgn_CostSavingsInitiativesTextualsAbstract" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsHeldForUse" xlink:label="us-gaap_ImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsHeldForUse" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_CarryingValuesOfRemainingAssets" xlink:label="amgn_CarryingValuesOfRemainingAssets" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_IncrementalDepreciationIncludedInCostOfSales" xlink:label="amgn_IncrementalDepreciationIncludedInCostOfSales" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_OperatingLeaseCharges" xlink:label="amgn_OperatingLeaseCharges" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_OtherChargesRelatedToCostEfficiencies" xlink:label="amgn_OtherChargesRelatedToCostEfficiencies" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsHeldForUse" order="2" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostLineItems" xlink:to="amgn_CarryingValuesOfRemainingAssets" order="3" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostLineItems" xlink:to="amgn_IncrementalDepreciationIncludedInCostOfSales" order="4" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostLineItems" xlink:to="amgn_OperatingLeaseCharges" order="5" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostLineItems" xlink:to="amgn_OtherChargesRelatedToCostEfficiencies" order="6" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Dimension Defaults -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/CostSavingsInitiativesAndRestructuringDetails" xlink:title="0605 - Disclosure - Cost savings initiatives (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_GainLossIncomeStatementLocationAxis" xlink:label="amgn_GainLossIncomeStatementLocationAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_GainLossIncomeStatementLocationDomain" xlink:label="amgn_GainLossIncomeStatementLocationDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="amgn_GainLossIncomeStatementLocationAxis" xlink:to="amgn_GainLossIncomeStatementLocationDomain" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Dimension Defaults -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/CostSavingsInitiativesAndRestructuringDetails" xlink:title="0605 - Disclosure - Cost savings initiatives (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_RestructuringPlansAxis" xlink:label="amgn_RestructuringPlansAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_RestructuringPlanDomain" xlink:label="amgn_RestructuringPlanDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="amgn_RestructuringPlansAxis" xlink:to="amgn_RestructuringPlanDomain" order="2" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Dimension Defaults -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/CostSavingsInitiativesAndRestructuringDetails" xlink:title="0605 - Disclosure - Cost savings initiatives (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostByTypeOfRestructuringAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostByTypeOfRestructuringAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostByTypeOfRestructuringAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain" order="3" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (Line Items to Hypercube)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/AvailableForSaleInvestmentsDetails" xlink:title="0606 - Disclosure - Available-for-sale investments (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Domain Members -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/AvailableForSaleInvestmentsDetails" xlink:title="0606 - Disclosure - Available-for-sale investments (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_CorporateDebtSecuritiesFinancialMember" xlink:label="amgn_CorporateDebtSecuritiesFinancialMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_CorporateDebtSecuritiesIndustrialMember" xlink:label="amgn_CorporateDebtSecuritiesIndustrialMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_OtherMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherDebtSecuritiesMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_OtherDebtSecuritiesMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember" order="2" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember" order="3" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" xlink:to="amgn_CorporateDebtSecuritiesFinancialMember" order="4" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" xlink:to="amgn_CorporateDebtSecuritiesIndustrialMember" order="5" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_OtherMember" order="6" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember" order="7" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember" order="8" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_OtherDebtSecuritiesMember" order="9" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember" order="10" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember" order="11" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (All)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/AvailableForSaleInvestmentsDetails" xlink:title="0606 - Disclosure - Available-for-sale investments (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable" order="2" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Inheritance for Line Items:  us-gaap:ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/AvailableForSaleInvestmentsDetails" xlink:title="0606 - Disclosure - Available-for-sale investments (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_FairValuesOfAvailableForSaleInvestmentsByTypeOfSecurityAbstract" xlink:label="amgn_FairValuesOfAvailableForSaleInvestmentsByTypeOfSecurityAbstract" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost" xlink:label="us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGains" xlink:label="us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGains" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLoss" xlink:label="us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLoss" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosure" xlink:label="us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosure" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost" order="2" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGains" order="3" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLoss" order="4" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosure" order="5" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Dimension Defaults -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/AvailableForSaleInvestmentsDetails" xlink:title="0606 - Disclosure - Available-for-sale investments (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (Line Items to Hypercube)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/AvailableforsaleInvestmentsDetails1" xlink:title="06061 - Disclosure - Available-for-sale investments (Details 1)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Domain Members -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/AvailableforsaleInvestmentsDetails1" xlink:title="06061 - Disclosure - Available-for-sale investments (Details 1)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember" order="2" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (All)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/AvailableforsaleInvestmentsDetails1" xlink:title="06061 - Disclosure - Available-for-sale investments (Details 1)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable" order="2" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Inheritance for Line Items:  us-gaap:ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/AvailableforsaleInvestmentsDetails1" xlink:title="06061 - Disclosure - Available-for-sale investments (Details 1)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_FairValuesOfAvailableForSaleInvestmentsByContractualMaturityAbstract" xlink:label="amgn_FairValuesOfAvailableForSaleInvestmentsByContractualMaturityAbstract" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesWithinOneYearFairValue" xlink:label="us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesWithinOneYearFairValue" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_MaturingAfterOneYearThroughThreeYears" xlink:label="amgn_MaturingAfterOneYearThroughThreeYears" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_MaturingAfterThreeYearsThroughFiveYears" xlink:label="amgn_MaturingAfterThreeYearsThroughFiveYears" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterFiveYearsFairValue" xlink:label="amgn_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterFiveYearsFairValue" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosure" xlink:label="us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosure" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesWithinOneYearFairValue" order="2" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems" xlink:to="amgn_MaturingAfterOneYearThroughThreeYears" order="3" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems" xlink:to="amgn_MaturingAfterThreeYearsThroughFiveYears" order="4" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems" xlink:to="amgn_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterFiveYearsFairValue" order="5" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosure" order="6" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Dimension Defaults -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/AvailableforsaleInvestmentsDetails1" xlink:title="06061 - Disclosure - Available-for-sale investments (Details 1)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (Line Items to Hypercube)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/FinancingArrangementsDetails" xlink:title="0608 - Disclosure - Financing arrangements (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Domain Members -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/FinancingArrangementsDetails" xlink:title="0608 - Disclosure - Financing arrangements (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_NotesDuePeriodOneMember" xlink:label="amgn_NotesDuePeriodOneMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_NotesDuePeriodTwoMember" xlink:label="amgn_NotesDuePeriodTwoMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_NotesDuePeriodThreeMember" xlink:label="amgn_NotesDuePeriodThreeMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_NotesDuePeriodFourMember" xlink:label="amgn_NotesDuePeriodFourMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_NotesDuePeriodFiveMember" xlink:label="amgn_NotesDuePeriodFiveMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_NotesDuePeriodSixMember" xlink:label="amgn_NotesDuePeriodSixMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_NotesDuePeriodSevenMember" xlink:label="amgn_NotesDuePeriodSevenMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_NotesDuePeriodFifteenMember" xlink:label="amgn_NotesDuePeriodFifteenMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_NotesDuePeriodEightMember" xlink:label="amgn_NotesDuePeriodEightMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_NotesDuePeriodSixteenMember" xlink:label="amgn_NotesDuePeriodSixteenMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_NotesDuePeriodNineMember" xlink:label="amgn_NotesDuePeriodNineMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_NotesDuePeriodTenMember" xlink:label="amgn_NotesDuePeriodTenMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_NotesDuePeriodElevenMember" xlink:label="amgn_NotesDuePeriodElevenMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_NotesDuePeriodOneMember" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_NotesDuePeriodTwoMember" order="2" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_NotesDuePeriodThreeMember" order="3" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_NotesDuePeriodFourMember" order="4" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_NotesDuePeriodFiveMember" order="5" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_NotesDuePeriodSixMember" order="6" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_NotesDuePeriodSevenMember" order="7" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_NotesDuePeriodFifteenMember" order="8" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_NotesDuePeriodEightMember" order="9" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_NotesDuePeriodSixteenMember" order="10" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_NotesDuePeriodNineMember" order="11" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_NotesDuePeriodTenMember" order="12" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_NotesDuePeriodElevenMember" order="13" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (All)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/FinancingArrangementsDetails" xlink:title="0608 - Disclosure - Financing arrangements (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable" order="2" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Inheritance for Line Items:  us-gaap:DebtInstrumentLineItems-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/FinancingArrangementsDetails" xlink:title="0608 - Disclosure - Financing arrangements (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtByCurrentAndNoncurrentAbstract" xlink:label="us-gaap_LongTermDebtByCurrentAndNoncurrentAbstract" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_OtherConvertibleDebtCurrent" xlink:label="amgn_OtherConvertibleDebtCurrent" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtNoncurrent" xlink:label="us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtNoncurrent" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermNotesPayable" xlink:label="us-gaap_LongTermNotesPayable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_OtherNotes" xlink:label="amgn_OtherNotes" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt" xlink:label="us-gaap_LongTermDebt" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent" xlink:label="us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:to="amgn_OtherConvertibleDebtCurrent" order="2" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtNoncurrent" order="3" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_LongTermNotesPayable" order="4" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:to="amgn_OtherNotes" order="5" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_LongTermDebt" order="6" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent" order="7" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Dimension Defaults -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/FinancingArrangementsDetails" xlink:title="0608 - Disclosure - Financing arrangements (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (Line Items to Hypercube)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/FinancingArrangementsDetailsTextuals" xlink:title="06081 - Disclosure - Financing arrangements (Details Textuals)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Domain Members -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/FinancingArrangementsDetailsTextuals" xlink:title="06081 - Disclosure - Financing arrangements (Details Textuals)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_NotesDuePeriodThreeMember" xlink:label="amgn_NotesDuePeriodThreeMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_NotesDuePeriodOneMember" xlink:label="amgn_NotesDuePeriodOneMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_NotesDuePeriodTwoMember" xlink:label="amgn_NotesDuePeriodTwoMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_NotesDuePeriodFourMember" xlink:label="amgn_NotesDuePeriodFourMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_NotesDuePeriodFiveMember" xlink:label="amgn_NotesDuePeriodFiveMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_NotesDuePeriodNineMember" xlink:label="amgn_NotesDuePeriodNineMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_NotesDuePeriodSevenMember" xlink:label="amgn_NotesDuePeriodSevenMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_NotesDuePeriodElevenMember" xlink:label="amgn_NotesDuePeriodElevenMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_NotesDuePeriodTenMember" xlink:label="amgn_NotesDuePeriodTenMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_NotesDuePeriodEightMember" xlink:label="amgn_NotesDuePeriodEightMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_NotesDuePeriodSixMember" xlink:label="amgn_NotesDuePeriodSixMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_NotesDuePeriodFifteenMember" xlink:label="amgn_NotesDuePeriodFifteenMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_NotesDuePeriodSixteenMember" xlink:label="amgn_NotesDuePeriodSixteenMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_NotesDuePeriodThreeMember" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_NotesDuePeriodOneMember" order="2" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_NotesDuePeriodTwoMember" order="3" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_NotesDuePeriodFourMember" order="4" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_NotesDuePeriodFiveMember" order="5" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_NotesDuePeriodNineMember" order="6" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_NotesDuePeriodSevenMember" order="7" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_NotesDuePeriodElevenMember" order="8" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_NotesDuePeriodTenMember" order="9" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_NotesDuePeriodEightMember" order="10" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_NotesDuePeriodSixMember" order="11" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_NotesDuePeriodFifteenMember" order="12" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_NotesDuePeriodSixteenMember" order="13" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (All)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/FinancingArrangementsDetailsTextuals" xlink:title="06081 - Disclosure - Financing arrangements (Details Textuals)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable" order="2" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Inheritance for Line Items:  us-gaap:DebtInstrumentLineItems-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/FinancingArrangementsDetailsTextuals" xlink:title="06081 - Disclosure - Financing arrangements (Details Textuals)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_FinancingArrangementsTextualsAbstract" xlink:label="amgn_FinancingArrangementsTextualsAbstract" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage" xlink:label="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt" xlink:label="us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleCarryingAmountOfTheEquityComponent" xlink:label="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleCarryingAmountOfTheEquityComponent" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage" order="2" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt" order="3" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleCarryingAmountOfTheEquityComponent" order="4" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Dimension Defaults -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/FinancingArrangementsDetailsTextuals" xlink:title="06081 - Disclosure - Financing arrangements (Details Textuals)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (Line Items to Hypercube)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/FairValueMeasurementDetails" xlink:title="0610 - Disclosure - Fair value measurement (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDisclosureItemsAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDisclosureItemsAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDisclosureItemsAxis" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Domain Members -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/FairValueMeasurementDetails" xlink:title="0610 - Disclosure - Fair value measurement (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDisclosureItemsAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDisclosureItemsAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDisclosureItemsDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDisclosureItemsDomain" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDisclosureItemsAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDisclosureItemsDomain" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDisclosureItemsDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDisclosureItemsDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member" order="2" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDisclosureItemsDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member" order="3" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (Line Items to Hypercube)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/FairValueMeasurementDetails" xlink:title="0610 - Disclosure - Fair value measurement (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis" order="2" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Domain Members -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/FairValueMeasurementDetails" xlink:title="0610 - Disclosure - Fair value measurement (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_CorporateDebtSecuritiesFinancialMember" xlink:label="amgn_CorporateDebtSecuritiesFinancialMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_CorporateDebtSecuritiesIndustrialMember" xlink:label="amgn_CorporateDebtSecuritiesIndustrialMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_OtherMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherDebtSecuritiesMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_OtherDebtSecuritiesMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember" order="2" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember" order="3" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember" order="4" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember" xlink:to="amgn_CorporateDebtSecuritiesFinancialMember" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember" xlink:to="amgn_CorporateDebtSecuritiesIndustrialMember" order="2" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember" xlink:to="us-gaap_OtherMember" order="3" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember" order="5" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember" order="6" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember" order="7" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_OtherDebtSecuritiesMember" order="8" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember" order="9" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (Line Items to Hypercube)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/FairValueMeasurementDetails" xlink:title="0610 - Disclosure - Fair value measurement (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" order="3" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Domain Members -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/FairValueMeasurementDetails" xlink:title="0610 - Disclosure - Fair value measurement (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_ContingentConsiderationInConnectionWithBusinessCombinationMember" xlink:label="amgn_ContingentConsiderationInConnectionWithBusinessCombinationMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember" order="2" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember" order="3" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_ContingentConsiderationInConnectionWithBusinessCombinationMember" order="4" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (All)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/FairValueMeasurementDetails" xlink:title="0610 - Disclosure - Fair value measurement (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTable" order="4" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Inheritance for Line Items:  us-gaap:FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/FairValueMeasurementDetails" xlink:title="0610 - Disclosure - Fair value measurement (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsAbstract" xlink:label="us-gaap_AssetsAbstract" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosure" xlink:label="us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosure" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssets" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssets" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAssetDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentFairValue" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeAssetDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentFairValue" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTotalAssets" xlink:label="amgn_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTotalAssets" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosure" order="2" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssets" order="3" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_DerivativeAssetDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentFairValue" order="4" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" xlink:to="amgn_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTotalAssets" order="5" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Dimension Defaults -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/FairValueMeasurementDetails" xlink:title="0610 - Disclosure - Fair value measurement (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDisclosureItemsAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDisclosureItemsAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDisclosureItemsDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDisclosureItemsDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDisclosureItemsAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDisclosureItemsDomain" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Dimension Defaults -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/FairValueMeasurementDetails" xlink:title="0610 - Disclosure - Fair value measurement (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesDomain" order="2" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Dimension Defaults -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/FairValueMeasurementDetails" xlink:title="0610 - Disclosure - Fair value measurement (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" order="3" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (Line Items to Hypercube)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/FairValueMeasurementDetails" xlink:title="0610 - Disclosure - Fair value measurement (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDisclosureItemsAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDisclosureItemsAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDisclosureItemsAxis" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Domain Members -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/FairValueMeasurementDetails" xlink:title="0610 - Disclosure - Fair value measurement (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDisclosureItemsAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDisclosureItemsAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDisclosureItemsDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDisclosureItemsDomain" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDisclosureItemsAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDisclosureItemsDomain" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDisclosureItemsDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDisclosureItemsDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member" order="2" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDisclosureItemsDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member" order="3" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (Line Items to Hypercube)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/FairValueMeasurementDetails" xlink:title="0610 - Disclosure - Fair value measurement (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" order="2" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Domain Members -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/FairValueMeasurementDetails" xlink:title="0610 - Disclosure - Fair value measurement (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_ContingentConsiderationInConnectionWithBusinessCombinationMember" xlink:label="amgn_ContingentConsiderationInConnectionWithBusinessCombinationMember" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (All)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/FairValueMeasurementDetails" xlink:title="0610 - Disclosure - Fair value measurement (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTable" order="3" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Inheritance for Line Items:  us-gaap:FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/FairValueMeasurementDetails" xlink:title="0610 - Disclosure - Fair value measurement (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract" xlink:label="us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilities" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilities" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentFairValue" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentFairValue" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationSubsequentFairValue" xlink:label="amgn_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationSubsequentFairValue" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTotalLiabilities" xlink:label="amgn_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTotalLiabilities" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilities" order="2" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentFairValue" order="3" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" xlink:to="amgn_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationSubsequentFairValue" order="4" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" xlink:to="amgn_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTotalLiabilities" order="5" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Dimension Defaults -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/FairValueMeasurementDetails" xlink:title="0610 - Disclosure - Fair value measurement (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDisclosureItemsAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDisclosureItemsAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDisclosureItemsDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDisclosureItemsDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDisclosureItemsAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDisclosureItemsDomain" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Dimension Defaults -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/FairValueMeasurementDetails" xlink:title="0610 - Disclosure - Fair value measurement (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (Line Items to Hypercube)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetails1" xlink:title="06101 - Disclosure - Fair value measurements (Details 1)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Domain Members -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetails1" xlink:title="06101 - Disclosure - Fair value measurements (Details 1)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_NotesDuePeriodOneMember" xlink:label="amgn_NotesDuePeriodOneMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_NotesDuePeriodTwoMember" xlink:label="amgn_NotesDuePeriodTwoMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_NotesDuePeriodThreeMember" xlink:label="amgn_NotesDuePeriodThreeMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_NotesDuePeriodFourMember" xlink:label="amgn_NotesDuePeriodFourMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_NotesDuePeriodFiveMember" xlink:label="amgn_NotesDuePeriodFiveMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_NotesDuePeriodSixMember" xlink:label="amgn_NotesDuePeriodSixMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_NotesDuePeriodSevenMember" xlink:label="amgn_NotesDuePeriodSevenMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_NotesDuePeriodFifteenMember" xlink:label="amgn_NotesDuePeriodFifteenMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_NotesDuePeriodEightMember" xlink:label="amgn_NotesDuePeriodEightMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_NotesDuePeriodSixteenMember" xlink:label="amgn_NotesDuePeriodSixteenMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_NotesDuePeriodNineMember" xlink:label="amgn_NotesDuePeriodNineMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_NotesDuePeriodTenMember" xlink:label="amgn_NotesDuePeriodTenMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_NotesDuePeriodElevenMember" xlink:label="amgn_NotesDuePeriodElevenMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_NotesDuePeriodOneMember" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_NotesDuePeriodTwoMember" order="2" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_NotesDuePeriodThreeMember" order="3" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_NotesDuePeriodFourMember" order="4" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_NotesDuePeriodFiveMember" order="5" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_NotesDuePeriodSixMember" order="6" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_NotesDuePeriodSevenMember" order="7" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_NotesDuePeriodFifteenMember" order="8" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_NotesDuePeriodEightMember" order="9" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_NotesDuePeriodSixteenMember" order="10" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_NotesDuePeriodNineMember" order="11" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_NotesDuePeriodTenMember" order="12" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_NotesDuePeriodElevenMember" order="13" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (All)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetails1" xlink:title="06101 - Disclosure - Fair value measurements (Details 1)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable" order="2" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Inheritance for Line Items:  us-gaap:DebtInstrumentLineItems-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetails1" xlink:title="06101 - Disclosure - Fair value measurements (Details 1)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_CarryingValueAndEstimatedFairValueOfOurConvertibleNotesModifiedConvertibleNotesAndOtherNotesAbstract" xlink:label="amgn_CarryingValueAndEstimatedFairValueOfOurConvertibleNotesModifiedConvertibleNotesAndOtherNotesAbstract" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_OtherConvertibleDebtCurrent" xlink:label="amgn_OtherConvertibleDebtCurrent" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtNoncurrent" xlink:label="us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtNoncurrent" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermNotesPayable" xlink:label="us-gaap_LongTermNotesPayable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtFairValueDisclosures" xlink:label="us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtFairValueDisclosures" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure" xlink:label="us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_OtherNotes" xlink:label="amgn_OtherNotes" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_OtherLongTermNotesPayableFairValueDisclosure" xlink:label="amgn_OtherLongTermNotesPayableFairValueDisclosure" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt" xlink:label="us-gaap_LongTermDebt" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:to="amgn_OtherConvertibleDebtCurrent" order="2" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtNoncurrent" order="3" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_LongTermNotesPayable" order="4" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtFairValueDisclosures" order="5" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure" order="6" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:to="amgn_OtherNotes" order="7" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:to="amgn_OtherLongTermNotesPayableFairValueDisclosure" order="8" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_LongTermDebt" order="9" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Dimension Defaults -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetails1" xlink:title="06101 - Disclosure - Fair value measurements (Details 1)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (Line Items to Hypercube)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetailsTextuals" xlink:title="06102 - Disclosure - Fair value measurements (Details Textuals)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Domain Members -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetailsTextuals" xlink:title="06102 - Disclosure - Fair value measurements (Details Textuals)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeNameDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeNameDomain" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OptionMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_OptionMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_DerivativeNameDomain" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeNameDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeNameDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_OptionMember" order="2" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (All)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetailsTextuals" xlink:title="06102 - Disclosure - Fair value measurements (Details Textuals)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_DerivativeTable" order="2" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Inheritance for Line Items:  us-gaap:DerivativeLineItems-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetailsTextuals" xlink:title="06102 - Disclosure - Fair value measurements (Details Textuals)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_FairValueMeasurementTextualsAbstract" xlink:label="amgn_FairValueMeasurementTextualsAbstract" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfForeignCurrencyCashFlowHedgeDerivatives" xlink:label="us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfForeignCurrencyCashFlowHedgeDerivatives" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfForeignCurrencyDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstruments" xlink:label="us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfForeignCurrencyDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstruments" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfInterestRateFairValueHedgeDerivatives" xlink:label="us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfInterestRateFairValueHedgeDerivatives" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfForeignCurrencyCashFlowHedgeDerivatives" order="2" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfForeignCurrencyDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstruments" order="3" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfInterestRateFairValueHedgeDerivatives" order="4" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Dimension Defaults -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetailsTextuals" xlink:title="06102 - Disclosure - Fair value measurements (Details Textuals)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeNameDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeNameDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_DerivativeNameDomain" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (Line Items to Hypercube)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetails" xlink:title="0611 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Domain Members -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetails" xlink:title="0611 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (Line Items to Hypercube)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetails" xlink:title="0611 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" order="2" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Domain Members -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetails" xlink:title="0611 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherContractMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_OtherContractMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_OtherContractMember" order="3" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember" order="4" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (All)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetails" xlink:title="0611 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable" order="3" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Inheritance for Line Items:  us-gaap:DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetails" xlink:title="0611 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNetAbstract" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNetAbstract" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet" order="2" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Dimension Defaults -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetails" xlink:title="0611 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Dimension Defaults -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetails" xlink:title="0611 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" order="2" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (Line Items to Hypercube)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetails1" xlink:title="06111 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Details 1)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Domain Members -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetails1" xlink:title="06111 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Details 1)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherContractMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_OtherContractMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_OtherContractMember" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember" order="2" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (All)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetails1" xlink:title="06111 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Details 1)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable" order="2" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Inheritance for Line Items:  us-gaap:DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetails1" xlink:title="06111 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Details 1)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_StatementsOfIncomeAndEffectivePortionOfGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeIntoIncomeForOurCashFlowHedgeContractsAbstract" xlink:label="amgn_StatementsOfIncomeAndEffectivePortionOfGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeIntoIncomeForOurCashFlowHedgeContractsAbstract" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassifiedToRevenueNet" xlink:label="us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassifiedToRevenueNet" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassifiedToInterestExpenseNet" xlink:label="us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassifiedToInterestExpenseNet" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassifiedToEarningsNet" xlink:label="us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassifiedToEarningsNet" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassifiedToRevenueNet" order="2" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassifiedToInterestExpenseNet" order="3" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassifiedToEarningsNet" order="4" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Dimension Defaults -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetails1" xlink:title="06111 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Details 1)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (Line Items to Hypercube)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetails2" xlink:title="06112 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Details 2)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Domain Members -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetails2" xlink:title="06112 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Details 2)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (Line Items to Hypercube)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetails2" xlink:title="06112 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Details 2)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByIncomeStatementLocationAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByIncomeStatementLocationAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByIncomeStatementLocationAxis" order="2" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Domain Members -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetails2" xlink:title="06112 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Details 2)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByIncomeStatementLocationAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByIncomeStatementLocationAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementAndOtherComprehensiveIncomeLocationDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncomeStatementAndOtherComprehensiveIncomeLocationDomain" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_InterestAndOtherIncomeMember" xlink:label="amgn_InterestAndOtherIncomeMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByIncomeStatementLocationAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_IncomeStatementAndOtherComprehensiveIncomeLocationDomain" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_IncomeStatementAndOtherComprehensiveIncomeLocationDomain" xlink:to="amgn_InterestAndOtherIncomeMember" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (All)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetails2" xlink:title="06112 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Details 2)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable" order="3" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Inheritance for Line Items:  us-gaap:DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetails2" xlink:title="06112 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Details 2)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfIncomeAndAmountOfGainRecognizedInIncomeForDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAbstract" xlink:label="amgn_CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfIncomeAndAmountOfGainRecognizedInIncomeForDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAbstract" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnForeignCurrencyDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstruments" xlink:label="us-gaap_GainLossOnForeignCurrencyDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstruments" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_GainLossOnForeignCurrencyDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstruments" order="2" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Dimension Defaults -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetails2" xlink:title="06112 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Details 2)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Dimension Defaults -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetails2" xlink:title="06112 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Details 2)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByIncomeStatementLocationAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByIncomeStatementLocationAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementAndOtherComprehensiveIncomeLocationDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncomeStatementAndOtherComprehensiveIncomeLocationDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByIncomeStatementLocationAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_IncomeStatementAndOtherComprehensiveIncomeLocationDomain" order="2" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (Line Items to Hypercube)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetails3" xlink:title="06113 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Details 3)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Domain Members -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetails3" xlink:title="06113 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Details 3)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_ForeignCurrencyForwardAndOptionContractsMember" xlink:label="amgn_ForeignCurrencyForwardAndOptionContractsMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OptionMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_OptionMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherContractMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_OtherContractMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_ForeignCurrencyForwardAndOptionContractsMember" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_OptionMember" order="2" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember" order="3" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember" order="4" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_OtherContractMember" order="5" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember" order="6" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (Line Items to Hypercube)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetails3" xlink:title="06113 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Details 3)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxis" order="2" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Domain Members -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetails3" xlink:title="06113 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Details 3)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueOptionEligibleItemOrGroupDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueOptionEligibleItemOrGroupDomain" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_AccruedLiabilitiesOtherNonCurrentLiabilitiesMember" xlink:label="amgn_AccruedLiabilitiesOtherNonCurrentLiabilitiesMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_OtherCurrentNoncurrentAssetsMember" xlink:label="amgn_OtherCurrentNoncurrentAssetsMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_OtherCurrentAssetsMember" xlink:label="amgn_OtherCurrentAssetsMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_FairValueOptionEligibleItemOrGroupDomain" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueOptionEligibleItemOrGroupDomain" xlink:to="amgn_AccruedLiabilitiesOtherNonCurrentLiabilitiesMember" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueOptionEligibleItemOrGroupDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesMember" order="2" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueOptionEligibleItemOrGroupDomain" xlink:to="amgn_OtherCurrentNoncurrentAssetsMember" order="3" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueOptionEligibleItemOrGroupDomain" xlink:to="amgn_OtherCurrentAssetsMember" order="4" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (All)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetails3" xlink:title="06113 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Details 3)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable" order="3" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Inheritance for Line Items:  us-gaap:DerivativesFairValueLineItems-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetails3" xlink:title="06113 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Details 3)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_FairValuesOfBothDerivativesDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAndNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsIncludedInCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:label="amgn_FairValuesOfBothDerivativesDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAndNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsIncludedInCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAssetFairValueAbstract" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeAssetFairValueAbstract" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAssetDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentFairValue" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeAssetDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentFairValue" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentFairValue" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentFairValue" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueAbstract" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueAbstract" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentFairValue" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentFairValue" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentFairValue" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentFairValue" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_DerivativeAssetDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentFairValue" order="3" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentFairValue" order="4" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset" order="5" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentFairValue" order="7" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentFairValue" order="8" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability" order="9" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Dimension Defaults -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetails3" xlink:title="06113 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Details 3)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Dimension Defaults -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetails3" xlink:title="06113 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Details 3)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain" order="2" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (Line Items to Hypercube)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetailsTextuals" xlink:title="06114 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Details Textuals)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Domain Members -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetailsTextuals" xlink:title="06114 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Details Textuals)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OptionMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_OptionMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_ForeignCurrencyForwardAndOptionContractsMember" xlink:label="amgn_ForeignCurrencyForwardAndOptionContractsMember" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherContractMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_OtherContractMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_OptionMember" order="2" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_ForeignCurrencyForwardAndOptionContractsMember" order="3" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_OtherContractMember" order="4" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (All)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetailsTextuals" xlink:title="06114 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Details Textuals)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable" order="2" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Inheritance for Line Items:  us-gaap:DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetailsTextuals" xlink:title="06114 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Details Textuals)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_DerivativeInstrumentsTextualsAbstract" xlink:label="amgn_DerivativeInstrumentsTextualsAbstract" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MaximumLengthOfTimeHedgedInForeignCurrencyCashFlowHedge" xlink:label="us-gaap_MaximumLengthOfTimeHedgedInForeignCurrencyCashFlowHedge" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfForeignCurrencyCashFlowHedgeDerivatives" xlink:label="us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfForeignCurrencyCashFlowHedgeDerivatives" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnCashFlowHedgeIneffectivenessNet" xlink:label="us-gaap_GainLossOnCashFlowHedgeIneffectivenessNet" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12Months" xlink:label="us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12Months" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12MonthsNet" xlink:label="us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12MonthsNet" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfInterestRateFairValueHedgeDerivatives" xlink:label="us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfInterestRateFairValueHedgeDerivatives" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInFairValueOfHedgedItemInInterestRateFairValueHedge" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInFairValueOfHedgedItemInInterestRateFairValueHedge" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInFairValueOfInterestRateFairValueHedgingInstruments" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInFairValueOfInterestRateFairValueHedgingInstruments" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfForeignCurrencyDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstruments" xlink:label="us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfForeignCurrencyDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstruments" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_DerivativeLowerRangeVariableInterestRate" xlink:label="amgn_DerivativeLowerRangeVariableInterestRate" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_DerivativeHigherRangeVariableInterestRate" xlink:label="amgn_DerivativeHigherRangeVariableInterestRate" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_MaximumLengthOfTimeHedgedInForeignCurrencyCashFlowHedge" order="2" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfForeignCurrencyCashFlowHedgeDerivatives" order="3" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_GainLossOnCashFlowHedgeIneffectivenessNet" order="4" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12Months" order="5" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12MonthsNet" order="6" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfInterestRateFairValueHedgeDerivatives" order="7" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInFairValueOfHedgedItemInInterestRateFairValueHedge" order="8" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInFairValueOfInterestRateFairValueHedgingInstruments" order="9" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfForeignCurrencyDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstruments" order="10" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems" xlink:to="amgn_DerivativeLowerRangeVariableInterestRate" order="11" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems" xlink:to="amgn_DerivativeHigherRangeVariableInterestRate" order="12" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Dimension Defaults -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetailsTextuals" xlink:title="06114 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Details Textuals)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (Line Items to Hypercube)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails" xlink:title="0613 - Disclosure - Subsequent events (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Domain Members -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails" xlink:title="0613 - Disclosure - Subsequent events (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_BergamoMember" xlink:label="amgn_BergamoMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" order="1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:to="amgn_BergamoMember" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Hypercube Definition (All)-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails" xlink:title="0613 - Disclosure - Subsequent events (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable" order="2" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Inheritance for Line Items:  us-gaap:SubsequentEventLineItems-->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails" xlink:title="0613 - Disclosure - Subsequent events (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="amgn-20110331.xsd#amgn_SubsequentEventsTextualsAbstract" xlink:label="amgn_SubsequentEventsTextualsAbstract" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/non-gaap/dei-2009-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityNumberOfEmployees" xlink:label="dei_EntityNumberOfEmployees" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventAmount" xlink:label="us-gaap_SubsequentEventAmount" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems" xlink:to="dei_EntityNumberOfEmployees" order="2" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_SubsequentEventAmount" order="3" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <!-- Dimension Defaults -->
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://amgen.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails" xlink:title="0613 - Disclosure - Subsequent events (Details)">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" order="1" />
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
</XBRL>