UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): February 10, 2011
ALEXION PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 000-27756 | 13-3648318 | ||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(Commission File Number) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
352 Knotter Drive, Cheshire, Connecticut 06410
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (203) 272-2596
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
| ¨ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| ¨ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
| Item 2.02 | Results of Operations and Financial Condition. |
On February 10, 2011, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. issued a press release relating to its results of operations and financial conditions for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2010. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K.
The attached press release contains both U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, or GAAP, and non-GAAP financial measures. The non-GAAP financial measures exclude share-based compensation expenses, taxes not payable in cash and expenses relating to the acquisitions of Taligen Therapeutics, Inc. and certain assets of Orphatec Pharmaceuticals GmbH. Reconciliations between non-GAAP and GAAP financial measures are included in the press release set forth as Exhibit 99.1 furnished to this Form 8-K. The Company’s management utilizes non-GAAP financial information to provide a useful measure of comparative operating performance of the Company. The non-GAAP financial measures are supplemental to and not a substitute for, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.
| Item 8.01 | Other Events. |
On February 10, 2011, Alexion announced that it purchased patents and assets from Germany-based Orphatec Pharmaceuticals GmbH related to an investigational therapy for patients with molybdenum cofactor deficiency, or MoCD, Type A, an ultra-rare genetic disorder characterized by severe brain damage and rapid death in newborns. Orphatec is a privately held development-stage biotechnology company with headquarters in Cologne, Germany. In addition, Alexion has established a research collaboration with key MoCD researchers from Orphatec to accelerate development of the investigational therapy. A copy of the press release is filed as Exhibit 99.2 to this Form 8-K.
| Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
| (d) | Exhibits |
99.1 Press Release issued by Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. on February 10, 2011 relating to its results of operations and financial conditions for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2010.
99.2 Press Release issued by Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. on February 10, 2011 relating to the acquisition of Orphatec Pharmaceuticals GmbH.
Signature
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| ALEXION PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. | ||||||||
| Date: February 10, 2011 | By: | /s/ Thomas I.H. Dubin | ||||||
| Name: | Thomas I. H. Dubin | |||||||
| Title: | Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer | |||||||
Exhibit 99.1
Contacts:
| Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Irving Adler Sr. Director, Corporate Communications (203) 271-8210 |
Makovksy + Company (Media) Kristie Kuhl (212) 508-9642 |
Rx Communications (Investors) Rhonda Chiger (917) 322-2569 |
Alexion Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2010 Results
- Soliris® Net Product Sales Increased 40 Percent to $541 Million in 2010 –
- Continued Strong Uptake of Soliris by New Patients in Core Territories: U.S., Western Europe and Japan –
- aHUS and Transplant Programs Advance –
- Taligen and Orphatec Acquisitions Expand Rare Disease Pipeline -
Fourth Quarter 2010 Financial Highlights:
| • | Q4 2010 net product sales increased 41 percent to $156.0 million, compared to $110.6 million in Q4 2009. |
| • | Q4 2010 GAAP net income was $26.5 million, or $0.28 per share, compared to Q4 2009 GAAP net income of $237.1 million, or $2.59 per share, which included a non-recurring tax benefit of $215.5 million, or $2.36 per share. |
| • | Q4 2010 non-GAAP net income increased 71 percent to $48.6 million, or $0.51 per share, compared to Q4 2009 non-GAAP net income of $28.5 million, or $0.31 per share. |
Full-Year 2010 Financial Highlights:
| • | 2010 net product sales increased 40 percent to $541.0 million, compared to $386.8 million in 2009. |
| • | 2010 GAAP net income was $97.0 million, or $1.04 per share, compared to 2009 GAAP net income of $295.2 million, or $3.26 per share, which included a non-recurring tax benefit of $215.5 million, or $2.38 per share. |
| • | 2010 non-GAAP net income increased 54 percent to $167.3 million, or $1.78 per share, compared to 2009 non-GAAP net income of $108.4 million, or $1.18 per share. |
CHESHIRE, Conn., February 10, 2011 — Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALXN) today announced financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2010. For the three
months ended December 31, 2010, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Alexion”, or the “Company”) reported net product sales of Soliris® (eculizumab) of $156.0 million, reflecting strong additions of new patients, compared to $110.6 million for the same period in 2009.
Soliris, approved in the U.S. (2007), European Union (2007) and Japan (2010), is the only drug specifically indicated for the treatment of patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), a rare, debilitating and life-threatening blood disease.
Historically, Alexion’s non-GAAP operating results have been equal to GAAP operating results less the impact of share-based compensation and taxes that are not payable in cash (non-cash taxes). Additionally, acquisition-related expenses are excluded from non-GAAP results. The following summary table is provided for investors’ convenience.
(in thousands, except per-share data)
| Three Months Ended December 31, |
Twelve Months Ended December 31, |
|||||||||||||||
| 2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | |||||||||||||
| Net product sales |
$ | 155,975 | $ | 110,649 | $ | 540,957 | $ | 386,800 | ||||||||
| GAAP net income |
$ | 26,450 | $ | 237,127 | $ | 97,030 | $ | 295,166 | ||||||||
| Share-based compensation |
7,605 | 6,878 | 32,338 | 28,731 | ||||||||||||
| Acquisition expense |
722 | — | 722 | — | ||||||||||||
| Non-cash taxes |
13,860 | (215,516 | ) | 37,229 | (215,516 | ) | ||||||||||
| Non-GAAP net income |
$ | 48,637 | $ | 28,489 | $ | 167,319 | $ | 108,381 | ||||||||
| Shares used in computing diluted earnings per share (GAAP) |
94,293 | 91,449 | 93,037 | 90,582 | ||||||||||||
| Shares used in computing diluted earnings per share (non-GAAP) |
95,208 | 92,532 | 94,247 | 91,780 | ||||||||||||
| GAAP earnings per share - diluted |
$ | 0.28 | $ | 2.59 | $ | 1.04 | $ | 3.26 | ||||||||
| Non-GAAP earnings per share - diluted |
$ | 0.51 | $ | 0.31 | $ | 1.78 | $ | 1.18 | ||||||||
Fourth Quarter Non-GAAP Financial Results:
The Company reported non-GAAP net income of $48.6 million, or $0.51 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to non-GAAP net income of $28.5 million, or $0.31 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2009.
Alexion’s non-GAAP operating expenses for Q4 2010 were $82.8 million, compared to $68.2 million for Q4 2009. Non-GAAP research and development (R&D) expenses for Q4 2010 were $25.4 million, compared to $20.3 million for Q4 2009. The increase in R&D expenses primarily reflected the expansion of the Company’s clinical trial programs. Non-GAAP selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses for Q4 2010 were $57.4 million, compared to $47.9 million for Q4
2009. The increase in SG&A expenses primarily reflected Alexion’s growing global operations and the Company’s expanded participation at medical conferences.
Fourth Quarter GAAP Financial Results:
Alexion reported GAAP net income of $26.5 million, or $0.28 per share in the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to Q4 2009 GAAP net income of $237.1 million, or $2.59 per share, which included a non-recurring tax benefit of $215.5 million, or $2.36 per share.
On a GAAP basis, operating expenses for Q4 2010 were $90.7 million, compared to $75.1 million for Q4 2009. GAAP R&D expenses for Q4 2010 were $27.2 million, compared to $23.2 million for Q4 2009. GAAP SG&A expenses were $63.5 million for Q4 2010, compared to $51.9 million for Q4 2009.
Full Year 2010 Non-GAAP Financial Results:
The Company reported non-GAAP net income of $167.3 million in 2010, or $1.78 per share, compared to non-GAAP net income of $108.4 million, or $1.18 per share, in 2009.
Alexion’s non-GAAP operating expenses for the full year 2010 were $294.1 million, compared to $225.9 million for 2009. Non-GAAP R&D expenses for 2010 were $90.4 million, compared to $72.9 million for the prior year. The increase in R&D expenses primarily reflected the expansion of the Company’s clinical trial programs. Non-GAAP SG&A expenses for 2010 were $203.7 million, compared to $153.1 million in 2009. The increase in SG&A expenses primarily reflected Alexion’s growing global operations and expanded participation at medical conferences.
Full Year 2010 GAAP Financial Results:
Alexion reported GAAP net income of $97.0 million, or $1.04 per share in 2010 compared to 2009 GAAP net income of $295.2 million, or $3.26 per share, which included a non-recurring tax benefit of $215.5 million, or $2.38 per share.
Alexion’s GAAP operating expenses for the full year 2010 were $325.9 million, compared to $254.7 million for the prior year. GAAP R&D expenses for 2010 were $98.4 million, compared to $81.9 million in 2009. GAAP SG&A expenses were $227.5 million in 2010, compared to $172.8 million for the prior year.
Balance Sheet:
As of December 31, 2010, the Company had $361.6 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities compared to $176.2 million at December 31, 2009. In January and February 2011, the Company used $114 million of available cash for the Taligen and Orphatec acquisitions described below.
Q4 Research and Development Progress:
During the fourth quarter of 2010, Alexion made significant progress on advancing the development of eculizumab as a treatment for patients suffering from additional rare and severe complement-
mediated disorders beyond PNH, with a focus on its two lead nephrology programs in aHUS and transplant.
atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (aHUS)
In November 2010, researchers at the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) annual meeting in Denver presented positive data from the Company’s two Phase 2 26-week studies of eculizumab as a treatment for adult and adolescent patients with aHUS. aHUS is an ultra-rare, chronic and life-threatening disease in which uncontrolled complement activation causes blood clots in small blood vessels throughout the body (thrombotic microangiopathy, or TMA) leading to kidney failure, stroke, heart attack and death.
The Company has completed dosing in these two Phase 2 clinical studies of eculizumab as an investigational treatment for patients with aHUS. A separate clinical study in pediatric patients with aHUS, as well as an additional study in adult patients, is ongoing.
Transplant: Acute Humoral Kidney Rejection (AHR)
Eculizumab is being investigated as a treatment for patients undergoing kidney transplant who are at elevated risk of antibody mediated rejection, also known as acute humoral rejection, or AHR. The Company is supporting investigator-initiated studies in elevated-risk kidney transplantation in the U.S. and Australia. Separately, an investigator-initiated study in patients with ABO blood-type incompatibility is enrolling. Alexion is now planning two global, company-sponsored controlled clinical trials evaluating eculizumab to prevent AHR in patients undergoing kidney transplant. The global studies are expected to commence in multiple centers this year following protocol finalization.
Acquisition of Orphatec Assets:
This morning, Alexion announced that it has purchased patents and assets from Germany-based Orphatec Pharmaceuticals GmbH related to an investigational therapy for patients with molybdenum cofactor deficiency (MoCD) Type A. MoCD Type A is an ultra-rare metabolic disease in newborns in which a genetic deficiency of cPMP causes a deficiency of molybdenum cofactor, which in turn leads to catastrophic brain damage, with survival generally measured in weeks or months.
Deficiency of the cofactor leads to accumulation of neurotoxic sulfite, resulting in uncontrollable seizures, severe and rapid neurological damage and death. There are currently no treatment options for patients with MoCD Type A.
The investigational therapy is designed to replace the deficient cPMP, which enables MoCD production so that the infant’s body can eliminate the toxic sulfite. Scientific discoveries underlying this highly innovative therapy were pioneered in Germany, and have led to encouraging early clinical experience with cPMP replacement therapy in several newborns. Investigators in Germany and Australia have reported clinically meaningful results in the first patient treated.
The Orphatec assets were purchased with an upfront cash payment of approximately $3 million plus contingent payments which would be earned upon reaching various development, regulatory and commercial milestones.
Taligen Acquisition:
On January 31, 2011, Alexion announced that it acquired Taligen Therapeutics, Inc., a privately held development-stage biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The
acquisition was completed with an upfront cash payment of $111 million for 100 percent of Taligen’s equity interests. Additional contingent payments would be earned upon reaching various clinical efficacy and product approval milestones in both the U.S. and European Union for up to six product candidates. The acquisition broadens Alexion’s portfolio of product candidates and accelerates the Company’s capabilities in translational medicine by bringing additional accomplished researchers to the Company to form the nucleus of a Translational Medicine Group in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Alexion aims to accelerate the development of promising pre-clinical compounds from the acquisition, including potential treatments for patients with ophthalmic diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), as well as other novel regulators of the complement inflammatory pathways targeting the treatment of patients with rare disorders.
“In 2010, we exceeded our clinical and commercial objectives. We served significantly greater numbers of patients with PNH in our core territories of the U.S., Western Europe and Japan, and made important progress in our lead pipeline programs,” said Leonard Bell, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Alexion. “In 2011, we are accelerating our initiatives to serve more patients with PNH in our core territories and new countries, as well as increasing our commitment to the more rapid innovation of first-in-class therapies for patients with debilitating and life-threatening rare diseases.”
2011 Financial Guidance:
In 2011, worldwide net product sales are expected to be within a range of $715 to $735 million. On a non-GAAP basis, R&D expenses are anticipated to be in the range of $128 to $138 million, and selling, general and administrative expenses in the range of $270 to $280 million. The Company’s share-based compensation expense for the year is expected to be in a range of approximately $39 to $41 million. Cost of sales is expected to be approximately 13 percent of net product sales. The GAAP effective tax rate is expected to be in the range of 30 to 32 percent. The non-GAAP effective tax rate, reported on a cash tax liability basis, is expected to be in the range of 10 to 12 percent. Based on a forecast of approximately 97 million diluted shares outstanding, Alexion is providing guidance of $2.10 to $2.25 for non-GAAP earnings per share for the year.
Conference Call/Web Cast Information:
Alexion will host a conference call/webcast to discuss matters mentioned in this release. The call is scheduled for today, February 10, 2011, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time. To participate in this call, dial 719-457-2735, confirmation code 6342085, shortly before 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time. A replay of the call will be available for a limited period following the call, beginning at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The replay number is 719-457-0820, confirmation code 6342085. The audio webcast can be accessed at www.alexionpharma.com.
About Soliris:
Soliris is a first-in-class terminal complement inhibitor developed from the laboratory through regulatory approval and commercialization by Alexion. Soliris has been approved in the U.S., European Union, Japan and other territories as the first treatment for patients with PNH, an ultra-rare, debilitating and life-threatening blood disorder defined by chronic uncontrolled complement activation which causes chronic hemolysis. Prior to these approvals, there were no therapies specifically available for the treatment of patients with PNH. Eculizumab (Soliris) is not approved for the treatment of aHUS, transplant or other indications other than PNH. Alexion’s innovative approach to complement inhibition has received some of the pharmaceutical industry’s highest honors: the 2008 Prix Galien USA Award for Best Biotechnology Product with broad implications for
future biomedical research and the 2009 Prix Galien France Award in the category of Drugs for Rare Diseases. More information on Soliris is available at www.soliris.net.
About Alexion:
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company working to develop and deliver life-changing drug therapies for patients with serious and life-threatening medical conditions. Alexion is engaged in the discovery, development and commercialization of therapeutic products aimed at treating patients with a wide array of severe disease states, including hematologic and kidney diseases, neurologic disorders, ophthalmic, transplant, other inflammatory disorders, and cancer. Soliris® (eculizumab), Alexion’s first marketed product, is approved in more than 35 countries as a therapy for patients with PNH, a debilitating and ultra-rare life-threatening blood disorder. Alexion is evaluating other potential indications for Soliris and is pursuing development of other innovative biotechnology product candidates in early stages of development. This press release and further information about Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. can be found at: www.alexionpharma.com.
[ALXN-E]
This news release contains forward-looking statements, including statements related to guidance regarding anticipated financial results for 2011, projected tax rates, assessment of the Company’s financial position and commercialization efforts, potential benefits and commercial potential for Soliris, potential of Alexion’s complement-inhibition technology for treatment of diseases other than PNH; plans for clinical programs for Soliris in non-PNH indications and for samalizumab; plans for recently acquired companies and programs; progress in developing commercial infrastructure and interest about Soliris in the patient, physician and payor communities. Forward-looking statements are subject to factors that may cause Alexion’s results and plans to differ from those expected, including for example, decisions of regulatory authorities regarding marketing approval or material limitations on the marketing of Soliris, delays in arranging satisfactory manufacturing capabilities and establishing commercial infrastructure, delays in developing or adverse changes in commercial relationships, the possibility that results of clinical trials are not predictive of safety and efficacy results of Soliris in broader patient populations, the risk that recent acquisitions will not result in short-term or long-term benefits, risks related to the integration of the operations of Taligen into Alexion, the possibility that initial results of commercialization are not predictive of future rates of adoption of Soliris, the risk that third parties will not agree to license any necessary intellectual property to Alexion on reasonable terms or at all, the risk that third party payors (including governmental agencies) will not reimburse for the use of Soliris at acceptable rates or at all, the risk that estimates regarding the number of patients with PNH or other disorders is inaccurate, and a variety of other risks set forth from time to time in Alexion’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to the risks discussed in Alexion’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2010 and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Alexion does not intend to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, except when a duty arises under law.
(Tables Follow)
ALEXION PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
| Three Months Ended December 31, |
Twelve Months Ended December 31, |
|||||||||||||||
| 2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | |||||||||||||
| Net product sales |
$ | 155,975 | $ | 110,649 | $ | 540,957 | $ | 386,800 | ||||||||
| Cost of sales (1) |
20,222 | 12,892 | 64,437 | 45,059 | ||||||||||||
| Operating expenses: |
||||||||||||||||
| Research and development (1) |
27,177 | 23,215 | 98,394 | 81,915 | ||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative (1) |
63,547 | 51,887 | 227,488 | 172,767 | ||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses |
90,724 | 75,102 | 325,882 | 254,682 | ||||||||||||
| Operating income |
45,029 | 22,655 | 150,638 | 87,059 | ||||||||||||
| Other expense |
(782 | ) | (61 | ) | (1,627 | ) | (350 | ) | ||||||||
| Debt exchange expense |
— | — | — | (3,395 | ) | |||||||||||
| Income before income taxes |
44,247 | 22,594 | 149,011 | 83,314 | ||||||||||||
| Income tax provision (benefit) |
17,797 | (214,533 | ) | 51,981 | (211,852 | ) | ||||||||||
| Net income |
$ | 26,450 | $ | 237,127 | $ | 97,030 | $ | 295,166 | ||||||||
| Earnings per common share |
||||||||||||||||
| Basic |
$ | 0.29 | $ | 2.70 | $ | 1.09 | $ | 3.46 | ||||||||
| Diluted |
$ | 0.28 | $ | 2.59 | $ | 1.04 | $ | 3.26 | ||||||||
| Shares used in computing earnings per common share |
||||||||||||||||
| Basic |
90,068 | 87,885 | 89,271 | 85,326 | ||||||||||||
| Diluted |
94,293 | 91,449 | 93,037 | 90,582 | ||||||||||||
| (1) | The following represents share-based compensation expense included in the respective captions of the condensed consolidated statements of operations above: |
| Three Months Ended December 31, |
Twelve Months Ended December 31, |
|||||||||||||||
| 2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | |||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation expense: |
||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales |
$ | 411 | $ | — | $ | 1,266 | $ | — | ||||||||
| Research and development |
1,739 | 2,886 | 7,878 | 9,049 | ||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative |
5,455 | 3,992 | 23,194 | 19,682 | ||||||||||||
| $ | 7,605 | $ | 6,878 | $ | 32,338 | $ | 28,731 | |||||||||
ALEXION PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
| December 31, 2010 |
December 31, 2009 |
|||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities |
$ | 361,605 | $ | 176,220 | ||||
| Trade accounts receivable, net |
168,732 | 113,731 | ||||||
| Inventories, net |
62,165 | 40,885 | ||||||
| Deferred tax assets, current |
19,643 | 16,726 | ||||||
| Other current assets |
34,411 | 25,894 | ||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net |
162,240 | 164,691 | ||||||
| Deferred tax assets, noncurrent |
154,569 | 194,308 | ||||||
| Other noncurrent assets |
48,672 | 53,946 | ||||||
| Total assets |
$ | 1,012,037 | $ | 786,401 | ||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
$ | 123,056 | $ | 78,445 | ||||
| Other current liabilities |
15,459 | 6,817 | ||||||
| Long term debt |
3,718 | 9,918 | ||||||
| Other noncurrent liabilities |
10,068 | 2,865 | ||||||
| Total liabilities |
152,301 | 98,045 | ||||||
| Total stockholders’ equity |
859,736 | 688,356 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity |
$ | 1,012,037 | $ | 786,401 | ||||
Exhibit 99.2
Alexion Acquires Investigational Therapy for
Infants Suffering From Catastrophic, Ultra-Rare Genetic Neurologic Disorder
Metabolic Replacement Therapy Designed to Prevent Severe Brain Damage, Early
Mortality in Infants with Molybdenum Cofactor Deficiency (MoCD) Type A
CHESHIRE, Conn., February10, 2011 – Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALXN) announced that it has purchased patents and assets from Germany-based Orphatec Pharmaceuticals GmbH related to an investigational therapy for patients with molybdenum cofactor deficiency (MoCD) Type A, a devastating ultra-rare genetic disorder characterized by severe brain damage and rapid death in newborns. Orphatec is a privately held development-stage biotechnology company with headquarters in Cologne, Germany. In addition, Alexion has established a research collaboration with key MoCD researchers from Orphatec to accelerate development of the investigational therapy.
About MoCD Type A
MoCD Type A is an ultra-rare metabolic disease affecting newborns in which a genetic deficiency of cPMP causes a deficiency of molybdenum cofactor which in turn leads to catastrophic brain damage, with survival generally measured in weeks or months. Deficiency of the cofactor leads to accumulation of neurotoxic sulfite, resulting in uncontrollable seizures, severe and rapid neurological damage, and death. There are currently no treatment options for patients with MoCD Type A.
About the cPMP Replacement Therapy
The investigational therapy is designed to replace the deficient cPMP, which enables MoCD production so that the infant’s body can eliminate the toxic sulfite. Scientific discoveries underlying this highly innovative therapy were pioneered in Germany, and have led to encouraging early clinical experience with cPMP replacement therapy in several newborns. Investigators in Germany and Australia have reported clinically meaningful results in the first patient treated. (1)
“An essential part of Alexion’s mission is to employ our skills in drug development and delivery on behalf of patients with ultra-rare and severe disorders who have no other hope. Our goal with this acquisition is to provide a first-in-class, life-transforming treatment for newborns and their families devastated by MoCD Type A,” said Leonard Bell, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Alexion. “While development of a therapy for this type of very rare neonatal disorder involves significant commitment and risk, we are dedicated to driving forward expeditiously to investigate the potential of this innovative metabolic therapy.”
“We appreciate Alexion’s commitment to infants with MoCD Type A who currently have no chance of survival,” said Guenter Schwarz, Ph.D., Professor and Chair in Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry & Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Germany, and a leader of the original Orphatec MoCD team. “Alexion’s proven expertise in developing drugs for patients suffering from
ultra-rare disorders now brings meaningful hope that the work begun by the Orphatec team can result in the first-ever approved treatment for these most helpless of patients and their families.”
The assets were purchased with an upfront cash payment of approximately $3 million plus contingent payments which would be earned upon reaching various development, regulatory, and commercial milestones.
About Alexion
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company working to develop and deliver life-changing drug therapies for patients with serious and life-threatening medical conditions. Alexion is engaged in the discovery, development and commercialization of therapeutic products aimed at treating patients with a wide array of severe disease states, including hematologic and kidney diseases, neurologic disorders, ophthalmic, transplant, other inflammatory disorders, and cancer. Soliris® (eculizumab), Alexion’s first marketed product, is approved in more than 35 countries as a therapy for patients with PNH, a debilitating and ultra-rare life-threatening blood disorder. Alexion is evaluating other potential indications for Soliris and is pursuing development of other innovative biotechnology product candidates in early stages of development. This press release and further information about Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. can be found at: www.alexionpharma.com.
[ALXN-G]
Safe Harbor Statement
This news release contains forward-looking statements, including statements related to potential benefits from the acquired cPMP replacement therapy assets. Forward-looking statements are subject to factors that may cause Alexion’s results and plans to differ from those expected, including for example those development, manufacturing, regulatory, commercialization and other risks set forth from time to time in Alexion’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to the risks discussed in Alexion’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2010, and in Alexion’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Alexion does not intend to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, except when a duty arises under law.
References:
1 Veldman A, et al. Successful treatment of molybdenum cofactor deficiency type A with cPMP Pediatrics. 2010 May;125(5):e1249-54.
###
Contacts
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Irving Adler, 203-271-8210
Senior Director, Corporate Communications and Public Policy
or
Media:
Makovsky & Company
Mark Marmur, 609-354-8135
or
Investors:
Rx Communications
Rhonda Chiger, 917-322-2569