FDA OK for Alexion’s Soliris in myasthenia gravis
US approval for Alexion’s complement inhibitor Soliris in anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive generalised myasthenia gravis could double the market for a product that is already selling $3bn/year, if some of the most optimistic sell-siders are to be believed. Soliris, which is famously one of, if not the, most expensive drug available is currently sold for two ultra rare conditions: paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. Approval in this new indication was key to the new management at Alexion regaining the confidence of investors following a rocky period for this once-stellar performing US biotech star. Meanwhile Alexion has also struck a licensing deal with Halozyme to use that company’s Enhanze technology to develop longer acting subcutaneous versions of its key pipeline products, including ALXN1210, which is expected to become the less frequently dosed 2.0 version of Soliris. ALXN1210 is key to the company’s strategy to shore up its rare disease franchise against possible competitors in future. Alexion is nevertheless a key holding of most of the European listed healthcare/biotech investment trusts including the UK-listed Worldwide Healthcare Trust, International Biotech Trust, Biotech Growth Trust and Switzerland’s BB Biotech. Alexion is also a perennially tipped takeover target for big pharma companies wanting to get into the rare disease space.
ALXN : FDA OK for Alexion’s Soliris in myasthenia gravis