New drug data tightens Alexion's grip on market for rare blood disorder

Fears that competition could soon hit sales of Soliris (eculizumab) will probably feel less acute at US drugmaker Alexion Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ALXN) after the company presented data on a new drug that could prolong its dominance in a rare blood disorder.

Alexion is conducting a Phase III trial comparing ALXN1210, its investigational long-acting C5 complement inhibitor, to Soliris in complement inhibitor treatment-naïve patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH).

"We expect the market to transition almost entirely to the longer-acting product within six to 12 months of its introduction in each market"