NEW HAVEN, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALXN) today announced the
following changes to its executive leadership team:
-
Brian Goff is joining Alexion as Chief Commercial Officer, effective
June 1, 2017. Mr. Goff is a veteran biopharmaceutical executive with
more than 25 years of experience at companies including Neurovance,
Inc., Baxalta, Inc., Baxter, Novartis and Johnson & Johnson. Mr. Goff
will lead all commercial operations globally with responsibility for
country operations in each of Alexion's affiliates in North
America, EMEA, Japan, Asia Pacific, and Latin America. He succeeds
Carsten Thiel who is leaving the Company to pursue new opportunities
effective June 1, 2017.
-
Dave Anderson, Chief Financial Officer, will resign his position at
the end of August. A search for a new CFO is underway with
SpencerStuart.
-
Martin Mackay, Executive Vice President, Head of Research &
Development will be retiring from Alexion at the end of 2017. A search
is also underway for a new Head of R&D with SpencerStuart.
-
Clare Carmichael, Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources
Officer, will be leaving the Company to pursue new opportunities
effective June 1, 2017. Recruiting is underway for a new Head of Human
Resources.
Ludwig Hantson, Alexion's Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are
delighted to welcome Brian to Alexion as our new Chief Commercial
Officer and look forward to his leadership in developing and executing
our strategies for long-term growth as we focus on creating value for
all stakeholders. He brings to Alexion the expertise and proven track
record that will help us continue to build on our global leadership
position, as well as a passion for developing talent and cultivating a
high-performing culture. At the same time, we thank Carsten for his many
contributions to Alexion's success over the past three years. He has
played a critical role in bringing Alexion's innovative therapies to
patients with rare and devastating diseases around the world and
establishing a solid foundation for the future."
Mr. Goff said, "I am very excited to join Alexion and have long admired
the Company's leadership in rare diseases, commitment to breakthrough
medical innovation, patient-centric focus, and successful growth
trajectory. I look forward to leading the Commercial organization and to
being part of the team that will take Alexion to its next chapter of
growth."
With respect to Dave Anderson, Dr. Hantson commented, "I have valued
Dave's partnership and we are grateful for his many contributions to the
Company and the finance function during an important transition period.
We also appreciate his continued dedication to Alexion as our active CFO
until the end of August, at which time it is our expectation that we
will have retained a new, world-class CFO."
Mr. Anderson added, "With Ludwig now firmly onboard as our CEO and
Alexion off to a strong start in 2017, this presents the opportunity for
the Company to identify a top-talent CFO who can partner with Ludwig to
drive growth and profitability over the long term. I look forward to
supporting Alexion and the team in the coming months to execute a
seamless transition."
With respect to identifying a new Head of R&D, Dr. Hantson said, "The
R&D function at Alexion is core to our business and to our future, and
it is our intent to recruit a new Head of R&D who can build on Martin's
successes. During his time at Alexion, Martin distinguished himself as a
leader in researching and developing promising therapies for rare
diseases while building an outstanding R&D leadership team and
organization. Martin also led the development of Strensiq, bringing the
first enzyme replacement therapy to market for patients with
hypophosphatasia, and significantly advanced our complement pipeline
programs. All of us at Alexion appreciate his dedication to patients and
his efforts to position Alexion on the leading edge of innovation as we
work to address some of the rarest, life-threatening conditions."
Commenting on a new Head of Human Resources, Dr. Hantson said, "As
Alexion advances our pipeline and commercial growth priorities, we will
appoint a new Head of Human Resources who will leverage Clare's
achievements in attracting and retaining the highest levels of talent
required to serve patients across the globe. Since she joined the
Company in 2011, Alexion has grown from approximately 800 to 3,000
employees, and we are grateful for Clare's leadership in helping us
design the structure and systems to operate globally in 50 countries. In
addition, she significantly expanded our global talent initiatives,
including talent management, training and development, and compensation
and benefits. The Alexion team wishes Clare well and thanks her for her
commitment to our mission and our people."
Brief Biography of Brian Goff
Mr. Goff is a proven global biopharmaceutical executive with a 25-year
track record of consistently delivering sustainable growth through
multiple business cycles. He has deep expertise in commercial operations
across multiple therapeutic areas, as well as broad experience in
managing a range of functions, including R&D, Medical Affairs,
Manufacturing and Quality with a number of industry-leading
biopharmaceutical companies.
Most recently, Mr. Goff served as Chief Operating Officer and a Member
of the Board of Directors of Neurovance, Inc., from December 2016 until
the company was acquired by Otsuka Pharmaceuticals Co. in March 2017.
Previously, Mr. Goff served as Baxalta's Executive Vice President &
President - Hematology Division, from the time of the company's spin-off
from Baxter International Inc. in 2015 until its combination with Shire
in mid-2016. From June 2012-December 2014, he served with Baxter
Healthcare Corporation as Global Hemophilia Franchise Head. Earlier in
his career, Mr. Goff held positions of increasing responsibility in
sales and marketing roles with Novartis Pharmaceuticals, and the
pharmaceutical division of Johnson & Johnson.
He earned his M.B.A. from the Wharton School at the University of
Pennsylvania and his B.A. from Skidmore College.
About Alexion
Alexion is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and
delivering life-transforming therapies for patients with devastating and
rare disorders. Alexion is the global leader in complement inhibition
and has developed and commercializes the first and only approved
complement inhibitor to treat patients with paroxysmal nocturnal
hemoglobinuria (PNH) and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), two
life-threatening ultra-rare disorders. In addition, Alexion's metabolic
franchise includes two highly innovative enzyme replacement therapies
for patients with life-threatening and ultra-rare disorders,
hypophosphatasia (HPP) and lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LAL-D).
Alexion is advancing its rare disease pipeline with highly innovative
product candidates in multiple therapeutic areas. This press release and
further information about Alexion can be found at: www.alexion.com.
[ALXN-G]
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These
forward-looking statements often include words such as "anticipate,"
"believe," "expect," "will," or similar expressions. Forward-looking
statements are subject to factors that may cause Alexion's results and
plans to differ from those expected, including for example, risks
related to potential disruptions to our business as a result of
leadership changes, and a variety of other risks set forth from time to
time in Alexion's filings with the U.S. 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 March 31,
2017 and in our other filings with the U.S. 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.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170523005516/en/
Alexion:
Media
Kim
Diamond, 475-230-3775
Executive Director, Corporate Communications
or
Investors
Elena
Ridloff, CFA, 475-230-3601
Vice President, Investor Relations
or
Catherine
Hu, 475-230-3599
Director, Investor Relations
Source: Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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