The struggling biotech is having a crisis, despite denials by ceo Kevin Sharer. In a few minutes, he’ll hold a telebriefing to explains staff cuts of 12 percent to 14 percent, which represents 2,200 to 2,600 jobs. The hope is to save between $1 billion and $1.3 billion next year, according to a statement Amgen just issued. The reasons cited? Reduced Medicare reimbursement for its top-selling Aranesp and Epogen meds.

“This has not been an easy year or the one we expected,” Sharer wrote in a note distributed to employees today, noting that about 2,300 people qualify for buyouts. “We have added 13,000 people to Amgen since 2001 and returning to 2006 levels will not be easy.”

And in the public statement, Sharer says: “Recent changes in coverage rules and adjustments to Amgen’s FDA approved labels for Epogen and Aranesp have. and will adversely affect Amgen’s revenue. The initiatives announced today respond to that new reality by taking account of reduced revenues and appropriately lowering costs across the company.”

To listen to the call, click on this. This link should take you to the Amgen slide show.

The restructuring, which isn’t surprising, will also involve closing certain production facilities and offices, and paring down research efforts. In addition, Amgen will take $600 million to $700 million in pre-tax charges, and 2007 earnings guidance is being lowered from $4.28 to a range of $4.13 to $4.23 a share, excluding restructuring charges.