Alexion Pharmaceuticals: Expanding Markets Point to Bigger Profits

Zacks.com submits: Recently, Alexion Pharmaceuticals (ALXN) received approval from Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) for its New Drug Application (NDA) of Soliris (eculizumab). The company was seeking approval for Soliris to treat patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH).

By Peter Geschek:Traditionally, drugmakers have tried to supply the mass-market with pills to fight mass market problems such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, pain.But patent expiries and generic competition have undermined their profits. By contrast, rare diseases offer premium prices and far less competition. Alexion

By Stephen Simpson: Alexion (ALXN) has done what so few biotechs ever manage to do. Not only has the company successfully developed a drug, it has stayed independent and achieved profitability on its own. Now the company is in that tricky area grey area between biotech and pharma, an area that can be dangerous to valuations and new investors. Soliris A Powerful Engine

Jason Chew submits: Alexion Pharmaceuticals (ALXN) reported revenues and major developments in its 2010 4th quarter report. Revenue continued climbing at a rapid clip, 2010 net product sales increased 40 percent to $541.0 million, compared to $386.8 million in 2009 and is projected to grow to between $715-$735 million in 2011.

Ultra rare diseases have become big business for both pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, such as Alexion (ALXN). The specialty drug market is growing faster than the non-orphan drug market.

Jason Chew submits: Alexion (ALXN) got some good news yesterday, receiving earlier than expected approval for its drug, Soliris (eculizumab), for the treatment of PNH in Japan - the world’s second largest pharmaceuticals market. Having received approval from the FDA and the European Commission only in 2007, Soliris has rocketed to expected 2010 sales of over $500 Million.

By Jessica King Holden:Despite rare diseases in some cases only affecting hundreds to thousands worldwide, the market for drug treatments has been speculated to hold a potential $1 trillion a year price tag. Orphan drug status benefits and unique intellectual property are certainly attractive draws to this market, in addition to direct revenue increase.

ByPropThink:Many biotechnology companies choose to focus on specific niches of the market that they deem to be the most lucrative. Gilead Sciences (GILD) is making a tremendous push into the Hepatitis C market, and Biogen Idec (BIIB) is the leading player in the MS market.