—Former President and CEO of NPS Pharma Brings Strong Biotech
Leadership and Rare Disease Expertise—
NEW HAVEN, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ALXN) today announced that
Francois Nader, M.D., has been appointed to the Company's Board of
Directors. Dr. Nader is an accomplished leader in the biopharmaceutical
industry with a proven track record of building and transforming
companies, launching rare disease therapies, and creating significant
shareholder value.
As President, Chief Executive Officer, and Executive Director of NPS
Pharma from 2008 to 2015, Dr. Nader transformed the organization into a
leading global biotechnology company focused on delivering innovative
therapies to patients with rare diseases. Dr. Nader currently serves as
non-executive chairman of Acceleron Pharma, Inc. and on the boards of
Advanced Accelerator Applications, Clementia Pharmaceuticals Inc., and
private company ArRETT Neuroscience. Prior to NPS, Dr. Nader was a
venture partner at Care Capital, a venture capital firm. He previously
served on the North America Leadership Team of Aventis Pharma and its
predecessor companies, holding a number of executive positions in
integrated healthcare markets and medical and regulatory affairs. He
also led global commercial operations at the Pasteur Vaccines division
of Rhone-Poulenc. Dr. Nader earned his French Doctorate in Medicine from
St. Joseph University in Lebanon and a physician executive MBA from the
University of Tennessee.
David Brennan, Chairman of the Board, commented, "We are very pleased to
welcome Francois to Alexion's Board of Directors. Francois is a leading
value-builder in the biotechnology industry with expertise in developing
and delivering innovative therapies that address significant patient
needs. His strong background in rare diseases across both commercial and
R&D functions will be a valuable addition to our board."
Dr. Nader added: "Alexion is a recognized global leader in rare diseases
with an exciting future as it executes on a strategy to drive
sustainable, long-term performance. As a member of the Board of
Directors, I look forward to applying my life sciences experience to
help guide the company's future growth and success."
Alexion also announced today that Director M. Michele Burns has advised
the Board that she does not plan to stand for re-election at the
Company's next annual meeting of shareholders. As previously announced
in September 2017, Director Alvin S. Parven advised the Board that he
does not plan to stand for re-election at the Company's next annual
meeting of shareholders and will retire from the Board at the 2018
annual meeting. Alexion's Board of Directors has retained Spencer Stuart
to conduct a search for an additional Director. The Board is seeking
candidates who represent a range of backgrounds, perspectives, skills,
and expertise, with an emphasis on maintaining a diverse Board.
About Alexion
Alexion is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on serving
patients and families affected by rare diseases through the innovation,
development and commercialization of life-changing therapies. 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), atypical
hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), and anti-acetylcholine receptor (AchR)
antibody-positive generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG). In addition,
Alexion has two highly innovative enzyme replacement therapies for
patients with life-threatening and ultra-rare metabolic disorders,
hypophosphatasia (HPP) and lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LAL-D). As
the leader in complement biology for over 20 years, Alexion focuses its
research efforts on novel molecules and targets in the complement
cascade, and its development efforts on the core therapeutic areas of
hematology, nephrology, neurology, and metabolic disorders. This press
release and further information about Alexion can be found at: www.alexion.com.
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 the 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 September
30, 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.
[ALXN-G]
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171108006472/en/
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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.
News Provided by Acquire Media