Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. of Cheshire has received a Prix Galien USA 2008 Award for Best Biotechnology Product for Soliris® (eculizumab). The Award recognizes the scientific innovation represented by the complement-inhibition technology of Soliris®, and the impact the drug is having on the lives of patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemolglobinuria (PNH), a rare, debilitating and life-threatening blood disorder. 

Soliris® is a first-in-class complement inhibitor that selectively blocks the formation of terminal complement, a component of the normal immune system. Patients with PNH lack naturally occurring proteins that ordinarily prevent terminal complement from causing the red blood cell destruction (hemolysis) that is central to the serious morbidities and mortality associated with PNH. 

"We are living in the midst of a biological revolution and the breakthrough agents honored by the Prix Galien USA illustrate the substantial research and development necessary to bring the fruits of that revolution in molecular medicine to the clinic," said Gerald Weissmann, M.D., Prix Galien USA committee chair, New York University professor emeritus and editor-in-chief of The FASEB Journal (Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology). 

"We deeply appreciate this honor, which recognizes more than 15 years of dedicated complement-based research. The Prix Galien award is especially gratifying for the scientists, physicians, patients and advocates involved in the discovery and development of Soliris®," said Leonard Bell, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Alexion.

"We are committed to making sure that every patient with PNH who can benefit from Soliris® will have access to Soliris®. We are building on the success of Soliris® by increasing our understanding of PNH and by evaluating the promise of complement inhibition for the treatment of other rare and life-threatening kidney, blood, transplant and neurologic disorders." 

The Prix Galien Award (http://www.prix-galien-usa.com) recognizes the technical, scientific and clinical research skills necessary to develop innovative medicines, and is considered the industry's highest accolade for pharmaceutical research and development — equivalent to the Nobel Prize. Prix Galien was first established in 1970 by French pharmacist Roland Mehl and was inaugurated in the United States in September 2007. The Prix Galien USA awards committee of 11 individuals includes seven Nobel Laureates, founders of major biotech companies and editors of world-renowned biology journals.