Alexion Pharmaceuticals, a rare disease unit within AstraZeneca, specializes in translating the biology of the complement system into medicines for conditions that affect small patient populations. Operating for over three decades with more than 5,000 employees across the globe, the company was the first to develop transformative therapies targeting complement dysfunction, establishing itself as a pioneer in this therapeutic area.
The organisation maintains a collaborative approach that brings together researchers, scientists, advocates, caregivers and patients in developing treatments. Its culture emphasizes scientific rigor, patient-centered outcomes, and entrepreneurial thinking, with stated values of following the science, putting patients first, playing to win, doing the right thing, and thinking entrepreneurially. This orientation persists despite the company's integration into AstraZeneca's broader pharmaceutical portfolio.
Alexion's work centres on rare diseases where complement system dysfunction plays a pathogenic role. The company's focus on translational medicine and clinical development reflects a commitment to moving scientific discoveries toward therapies that address unmet medical needs in underserved patient populations. Its global reach and scale enable sustained investment in the complex research required for rare disease drug development.
