CHESHIRE, Conn., Jun 19, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALXN) has completed the installation of a 295 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system at the company's Cheshire, Conn., corporate headquarters and research facility. State officials and other guests joined Alexion employees at yesterday's ceremony to "throw the switch" on the new system.
Alexion's PV system comprises 1,738 photovoltaic solar panels, mounted on the rooftop of the Company's 125,000-square-foot facility in Cheshire, which convert sunlight directly into electricity. Approximately 9% of the facility's total electrical needs will be provided by the solar installation, which is expected to produce more than 329,000 kWh of power annually, resulting in an estimated reduction of 380,000 lbs of CO2 emissions per year.
"This solar array is a key part of our corporate commitment to responsible energy choices," said Leonard Bell, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Alexion. "We are continuing to drive toward a greener and more cost-effective energy footprint in Cheshire and at other company facilities. The installation of this system will ensure long-term benefits to both the environment and our organization for years to come."
Connecticut State Representative Elizabeth Esty, whose home district includes Cheshire, Wallingford, and Hamden, was in attendance at the event and noted that, "Through this commitment to solar energy, Alexion is demonstrating that good business and social responsibility can go hand in hand." Representative Esty is a member of the Energy and Technology Committee of the Connecticut House of Representatives.
Background
Alexion has a long-standing commitment to energy conservation and to the communities in which it operates. Along with the installation of the new PV system at its headquarters, the Company is pursuing additional initiatives, including the retrofitting of lighting, heating, cooling and control systems, in order to achieve an appreciable reduction in the generation of greenhouse gases from its Cheshire operations.
Alexion's PV system was made possible by a grant from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund.
"We are proud to partner with Alexion in this investment in our state's future. This initiative will help to stabilize the company's energy costs and make their business less reliant on outside resources," said Lise Dondy, President of the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund. "In addition, the system will help to stabilize the local power grid by reducing the demands during peak hours, which is beneficial to everyone in the community."
About Alexion
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company working to develop and deliver life-changing drug therapies for patients with serious and life-threatening medical conditions. Alexion is engaged in the discovery, development and commercialization of therapeutic products aimed at treating patients with a wide array of severe disease states, including hematologic and kidney diseases, transplant, cancer, and autoimmune disorders. Soliris is Alexion's first marketed product, approved in the U.S. and Europe in 2007, and Canada and Australia in 2009. Alexion is evaluating other potential indications for Soliris as well as other formulations of eculizumab for additional clinical indications, and is pursuing development of other antibody product candidates in early stages of development. This press release and further information about Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. can be found at: www.alexionpharma.com.
About The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund
CCEF was created by the Connecticut General Assembly and is funded by the electric ratepayers. CCEF's mission is to promote, develop and invest in clean energy sources for the benefit of Connecticut's ratepayers in order to strengthen Connecticut's economy, protect community health, improve the environment, and promote a secure energy supply for the state. CCEF is administered by Connecticut Innovations, a quasi-public authority. For more information on CCEF, please visit http://www.ctcleanenergy.com.
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This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to factors that may cause Alexion's results and plans to differ from those expected, including for example, decisions of regulatory authorities regarding marketing approval or material limitations on the marketing of Soliris, the possibility that results of clinical trials are not predictive of safety and efficacy results of Soliris in broader patient populations, the possibility that third party payers will decide not to reimburse for use of Soliris at acceptable levels or at all, and a variety of other risks set forth from time to time in Alexion's filings with the 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, 2009. 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.
SOURCE: Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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