Select a Country Investors News Contact About Alexion Our Leadership Our Partnerships Our Ethical Standards Our History Patient Focus Products Research & Development Responsibility Careers Home » About Alexion » Our History OUR HISTORY ALEXION TIMELINE: A COMMITMENT TO BREAKTHROUGH INNOVATION The years since Alexion was established in 1992 have been extraordinary. With courage and tenacity, we have explored the most complex scientific challenges to find answers for patients with rare diseases. What has made us successful in the past, and what will continue to make us successful in the future, is our shared purpose – serving patients with devastating diseases who have been overlooked. Here are some of the milestones that have marked our growth. Company Milestone Product Milestone Awards and Recognition 2017 Alexion announces that headquarters will relocate to Boston, Mass., in mid-2018. New Haven will become the Center of Excellence for the Company’s world-class complement research and process development teams Soliris® (eculizumab) is approved in the EU for the treatment of patients with refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) who are anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody-positive. Marketing applications for Soliris for the treatment of patients with anti-AChR antibody-positive refractory gMG have been accepted for review in the U.S. and Japan Alexion celebrates its 25th anniversary Alexion’s global headquarters receives LEED Platinum Certification Alexion Appoints Ludwig Hantson, Ph.D., as Chief Executive Officer Alexion celebrates its 10th anniversary of serving patients with PNH, and the approval of Soliris® (eculizumab) 2016 Alexion moves into its new global corporate headquarters in New Haven, Connecticut Kanuma is approved as a treatment for patients with lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LAL-D) in Japan Alexion receives 2016 Rare Impact Award from the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) and is named as Industry Innovation Honoree for the Company’s work in bringing Strensiq and Kanuma to market Alexion is named one of the World's Most Innovative Companies by Forbes consecutively from 2012 to 2016 Alexion receives orphan drug designation (ODD) for ALXN1007 for the treatment of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) from the U.S. FDA and the European Commission (EC) Kanuma receives 2016 German Prix Galien Award in the Orphan Product category Science names Alexion as a Top Employer in both 2015 and 2016 Alexion initiates two Phase 3 clinical trials of ALXN1210 in complement inhibitor treatment-naïve patients with PNH and aHUS, and receives ODD for ALXN1210 for the treatment of patients with PNH from the EC 2015 Strensiq® (asfotase alfa) is approved as a treatment for patients with hypophosphatasia (HPP) in the U.S., EU, Japan and Canada Kanuma® (sebelipase alfa) is approved as a treatment for patients with lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LAL-D) in the U.S. and EU Alexion acquires Synageva BioPharma, strengthening its pipeline and establishing a metabolic franchise with the addition of Kanuma as a potential treatment for LAL-D Alexion opens new EMEA headquarters in Zürich, Switzerland Alexion is named one of Fortune Magazine’s Fastest Growing Companies in 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015 2014 Alexion expands its drug-discovery capabilities with a long-term strategic agreement with Moderna Therapeutics to develop messenger RNA (mRNA) Therapeutics™ for rare diseases Soliris receives orphan drug designation (ODD) for multiple potential indications: Prevention of delayed graft function (DGF) in renal transplant patients from the FDA, and prevention of DGF after solid organ transplantation from the EMA Treatment of refractory myasthenia gravis (MG) from the FDA and EMA Alexion initiates multinational registration trials of eculizumab as a potential treatment for patients with NMO, MG and DGF Alexion's Board of Directors appoints Leonard Bell, M.D., as Chairman of the Board Connecticut Magazine names Alexion one of the top workplaces in the state in both 2010 and 2014 2013 Asfotase alfa receives Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the FDA for the treatment of HPP, and cPMP (ALXN1101) receives Breakthrough Therapy Designation for the treatment of molybdenum cofactor deficiency (MoCD) Type A Soliris is approved as a treatment for patients with aHUS in Japan Soliris receives orphan drug designation (ODD) for the treatment of neuromyelitis optica (NMO) from the FDA and EMA 2012 Alexion acquires asfotase alfa, the first potential treatment for patients with hypophosphatasia (HPP) New England Journal of Medicine publishes data from Phase 2 study of asfotase alfa in life-threatening HPP Alexion is added to the S&P 500 Index of leading global companies Alexion announces relocation of its US headquarters to New Haven, CT, USA, in 2015 Alexion presented with the Partners in Progress Award from the National Organization for Rare Diseases (NORD) 2011 Alexion responds to a historic public health crisis in Germany and provides Soliris without charge to hundreds of patients with life-threatening Shiga toxin E. coli-related hemolytic uremic syndrome (STEC-HUS) The FDA and the EMA approve Soliris as the first and only treatment for adult and pediatric patients with aHUS 2010 Alexion’s Rhode Island manufacturing facility receives FDA approval to supply Soliris Alexion receives the Green Advocate Award from the Connecticut Green Building Council (CTGBC) for its global headquarters and research facilities in Cheshire, Connecticut U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) twice recognizes Alexion with LEED Certification Awards for constructing, operating and maintaining interiors that meet the highest green building and performance standards 2009 Soliris receives the Prix Galien France Award for Drugs for Rare Diseases Alexion's Rhode Island manufacturing facility receives EU approval to supply Soliris 2008 Soliris is first used as a treatment for patients with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) in France and Germany Soliris receives the Prix Galien USA Award for Best Biotechnology Product 2007 Soliris® (eculizumab) receives approval from the FDA and European Medicines Agency (EMA) as the first and only treatment for patients with PNH Alexion honored with the Corporate Leadership Award from the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) Alexion earns the Award of Excellence from Connecticut United for Research Excellence (CURE) 2006 Alexion acquires a biomanufacturing facility in Smithfield, RI, USA, in anticipation of commercial- scale production of eculizumab 2005 Alexion establishes operations in Europe by opening an office in Paris, France Second pivotal Phase 3 study of eculizumab in patients with PNH begins (SHEPHERD) 2002-2004 Pilot study with eculizumab commences in Leeds, England in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) New England Journal of Medicine publishes positive results from pilot study of eculizumab in 11 patients with PNH First pivotal Phase 3 study of eculizumab commences in patients with PNH (TRIUMPH) 2000 Corporate headquarters relocates to Cheshire, CT, USA 1996-1998 Initial public offering on NASDAQ under ticker symbol ALXN First in-human clinical trial of eculizumab begins 1992-1994 Alexion is founded in New Haven, CT, USA C5 complement inhibitor development program commences First pilot manufacturing facility is established in New Haven, CT, USA About Alexion Patient Focus Products Research and Development Responsibility Careers Investors News Contact Site Map Legal Statement Privacy Policy Terms of Use This website is intended only for residents of the United States. © 2017 Alexion