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September 11, 2007

Alexion launches drug for rare disease

SMITHFIELD -- Alexion Pharmaceuticals is aggressively growing its U.S. sales force and launching several initiatives to promote the use of its only drug, Soliris, the company's chief executive officer said in a speech this morning in New York City.

Alexion, based in Connecticut, is building a $47-million biomanufacturing facility in Smithfield, at the former Dow Chemical plant, to produce Soliris. The drug treats a rare blood disorder, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.

In his speech, Leonard Bell, Alexion's CEO, said the company had increased its sales force by 45 percent, up to 32 sales executives from 22.

It has also formed "disease awareness programs" and a "clinical support team" to enhance diagnosis of the disease, Bell said.

"The purpose of this is to provide greater geographic reach," Bell said at the Bear Stearns 20th Healthcare Conference.

--Journal staff writer Benjamin N. Gedan

Posted by Brandie Jefferson  at 10:13 AM | Permalink

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