Overview
Alexion is a global
biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops and delivers life-changing therapies
for patients living with severe, life-threatening and often ultra-rare diseases. With fully
integrated scientific, medical, regulatory, manufacturing and commercial capabilities,
Alexion is well-positioned to meet the needs of patients today and in the future.
The company's first product,
Soliris® (eculizumab), is the first and only therapy
approved for the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). PNH is an ultra-rare,
debilitating and life-threatening blood disorder defined by the destruction of red
blood cells, or hemolysis. In patients with PNH, hemolysis can cause life-threatening
thromboses (formation of blood clots), as well as debilitating pain, kidney disease,
disabling fatigue, severe anemia and intermittent episodes of dark-colored urine,
known as hemoglobinuria.
Soliris is the first in a new class of therapies to inhibit terminal complement, a group of proteins involved in the body's
immune response. Extensive
clinical trials show that Soliris reduces hemolysis in patients with PNH,
leading to an improvement in symptoms and a reduction in major health problems associated
with this disease.
Alexion scientists, working closely with leading researchers and physicians worldwide,
are investigating
eculizumab as a potential treatment for patients with other debilitating
and ultra-rare diseases in which complement plays a role. The company also is exploring
the potential of a novel
antibody as a treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, multiple myeloma
and other types of cancer.