Company Profile
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Company Overview
Alexion is a global biopharmaceutical company that combines groundbreaking science with a steadfast commitment to meeting the needs of patients living with severe, life-threatening and often ultra-rare diseases. Alexion scientists are among the first in the world to unlock the therapeutic potential of inhibiting terminal complement, a group of proteins that play an important role in the body's immune response and can destroy healthy tissue in certain patients.
Alexion discovered and developed Soliris® (eculizumab), a first-in-class terminal complement inhibitor. Today, Soliris is approved in more than 40 countries as a treatment for patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), and in the United States and European Union as a treatment for patients with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS). Soliris is not indicated for the treatment of patients with Shiga toxin E coli-related hemolytic uremic syndrome (STEC-HUS). Alexion is working urgently to investigate Soliris and additional product candidates as treatments for patients with other rare and severe diseases.
Company History
Alexion has grown rapidly to become a leading global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the lives of people facing rare, serious and life-threatening diseases. The following timeline charts the evolution of the company and the milestones that have marked its growth.
2012
Alexion Pharmaceuticals celebrates the company’s 20th anniversary.
Alexion announces plans to establish its new global headquarters at a new facility to be built in New Haven, CT by 2015.
Alexion is added to the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index, the prestigious and widely followed listing of 500 leading global companies across all industries.
The New England Journal of Medicine publishes data from a Phase 2 study of asfotase alfa in infants and young children with life-threatening hypophosphatasia (HPP) showing that 90 percent of patients had substantial skeletal healing at 24 weeks; treatment with asfotase alpha also improved cognitive development as well as motor and pulmonary function.
Alexion acquires Enobia Pharma Corp and gains full worldwide development and commercial rights to asfotase alfa, an innovative, first-in-class targeted enzyme-replacement therapy in Phase 2 clinical trials for patients with hypophosphatasia (HPP), an ultra-rare, life-threatening, genetic metabolic disease.
2011
The European Commission extends the therapeutic indication for Soliris® (eculizumab) to include the treatment of pediatric and adult patients with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS).
The U.S. FDA approves Soliris® (eculizumab) for pediatric and adult patients with aHUS.
The European Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopts a positive opinion recommending that the therapeutic indication for Soliris be extended to include the treatment of pediatric and adult patients with aHUS.
Alexion acquires Taligen Therapeutics and creates the Alexion Translational Medicine Group to accelerate development of an expanded portfolio, including innovative complement inhibitors.
Alexion acquires investigational cPMP replacement therapy from Orphatec Pharmaceuticals for infants suffering from molybdenum cofactor deficiency (MoCD) Type A, a catastrophic, ultra-rare genetic neurologic disorder.
2010
Soliris receives marketing approval in Japan for the treatment of patients with PNH.
Investigators present positive interim data from an investigator-initiated trial with eculizumab in patients at elevated risk for acute humoral rejection (AHR) at the American Transplant Congress.
Australian government makes landmark decision concluding that Soliris treatment substantially extends the lives of patients with PNH.
Independent European investigators present data at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology showing that Soliris-treated PNH patients had survival rates similar to an age- and gender-matched population of normal individuals.
Alexion receives FDA approval of its Rhode Island manufacturing facility for Soliris supply, providing a second source for commercial and clinical needs.
2009
Alexion receives the Prix Galien France award, one of the nation's highest honors, for the Most Innovative Drug for Rare Diseases for Soliris® (eculizumab). This award, given by an elite committee of scientific, academic and medical leaders in France, recognizes the innovative technology and positive impact of Soliris.
Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration approves the use of Soliris to treat all patients with PNH. Soliris is the first drug approved in Australia for the treatment of patients with PNH.
Health Canada, the Canadian national healthcare regulatory agency, approves Soliris for the treatment of PNH in all patients of the disease.
Soliris® is designated as an orphan drug by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan. Alexion follows this designation by submitting a New Drug Application for Soliris, in anticipation of the drug's commercial launch in the country in 2010.
2008
Alexion is honored with the Prix Galien USA Award for Best Biotechnology Agent for Soliris. This prestigious award, selected by a committee which includes seven recipients of the Nobel Prize, recognizes the development of innovative medicines that improve the human condition.
2007
The U.S. FDA approves Soliris as the first treatment for patients with PNH.
The European Commission (EC) approves Soliris for the treatment of patients with PNH in 29 countries, making it the first drug to be approved both under Priority Review by the FDA and through the Accelerated Assessment procedure of the EC.
An analysis of clinical studies published in Blood, the journal of the American Society of Hematology, demonstrates that PNH patients treated with Soliris experienced a dramatic reduction in blood clots during clinical trials.
Alexion receives the Award of Excellence from Connecticut United for Research Excellence (CURE), an association of more than 100 bioscience organizations.
Alexion is honored with the Corporate Leadership Award of the National Organization for Rare Disorders due to pioneering work conducted to bring Soliris to patients with PNH.
2006
Results of the Phase III TRIUMPH Study published in the New England Journal of Medicine demonstrate that Soliris significantly reduces the symptoms of PNH.
2005
Alexion Europe SAS, a wholly owned subsidiary, is formed to serve as the company's initial European headquarters.
2004
Data published in theNew England Journal of Medicine detail the effect of Soliris on hemolysis and other patient morbidities in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH).
1996
Alexion becomes a publicly traded company and is listed on NASDAQ under the symbol ALXN.
1992
Alexion was established in New Haven, Connecticut, by Dr. Leonard Bell, a practicing physician, researcher and Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pathology at Yale University.
Notable Accomplishments / Recognition
In 2012, Alexion was ranked #2 in Forbes’ annual list of The World’s Most Innovative Companies and recognized as Biotech’s New Innovation Powerhouse.
Benefits
Alexion provides competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and rare opportunities for advancement within a rapidly-growing company.
Compensation
Alexion is a high-performance culture that offers a compensation system designed to reward top performers. Our competitive compensation packages include equity programs for qualified positions. Programs will vary based on regulations and practices in the countries in which we operate.
Benefits
Our employees are the foundation for our success, and we are committed to attracting and retaining exceptional team members. Our comprehensive benefits program, Alexion Advantage, is a strong part of this effort.
Alexion Advantage is available to full-time employees in the United States and includes:
Company-paid benefits such as life insurance, short- and long-term disability, an employee assistance program, tuition assistance, plus ten paid holidays, paid time off and vacation.
Cost-shared benefits such as comprehensive and flexible medical insurance, prescription drug coverage, vision and dental insurance, and a 401(k) plan.
Access to employee-paid benefits such as flexible spending accounts, supplemental long-term disability, long-term care insurance, an after-tax savings account, a 529 college savings plan, and automobile and homeowners insurance discounts.
Alexion also provides comprehensive and competitive relocation benefits and services for qualified positions. We understand that relocation is an important consideration, especially given today's housing market. Alexion strives to provide competitive and flexible relocation benefits to qualified candidates, combined with personalized support from our human resources staff.