Alexion Pharmaceuticals

Dr. Leonard Bell founded Alexion in 1992. He was a physician-scientist who researched complement biology at Yale University. Bell served as CEO until 2017 (per public record).

Alexion focused exclusively on complement-mediated rare diseases, developing drugs like Soliris (eculizumab) and Ultomiris (ravulizumab) for conditions such as paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (per FDA labeling).

AstraZeneca acquired Alexion in July 2021 for $39B to gain entry into the rare-disease market. The acquisition combined Alexion's complement biology platform with AstraZeneca's global infrastructure. AstraZeneca now operates Alexion as its Rare Disease unit (per AstraZeneca, July 2021).

Yes, the Alexion Charitable Foundation supports rare disease patient advocacy, education, and community programs. It is structured separately from the company's commercial operations (per the Alexion Charitable Foundation).

Alexion's primary revenue came from Soliris and later Ultomiris. Soliris was one of the world's most expensive drugs, costing approximately $500,000 per patient annually in the US. Revenue peaked at over $4B annually before patent expirations (per Alexion annual reports).

Alexion studied Ultomiris as a potential treatment for COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome. The company also participated in vaccine distribution and manufacturing partnerships, including a deal with Johnson & Johnson to produce the single-shot vaccine (per public record).

Prior to the acquisition, Alexion's largest shareholders included asset managers like Vanguard, BlackRock, and Fidelity, as well as hedge fund Baker Bros. Advisors. The firm was publicly traded on the Nasdaq under the ticker ALXN until July 2021.