Alexion angry at NICE's funding exclusion of patient group

US drugmaker Alexion Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ALXN) has again criticized the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), after the body chose to exclude a certain patient group in its recommendation of Strensiq (asfotase alfa) for pediatric-onset hypophosphatasia (HPP) in England.

The NICE has recommended in its final evaluation determination (FED) for treating bone in this rare inherited disorder that Strensiq be provided on the National Health Service (NHS) for people with perinatal and infantile-onset disease.

However, Strensiq is not recommended by the NICE for adults or children with juvenile-onset HPP.