Alexion issued patent for eculizumab in Japan

By Lisa Kerner

Erie, Pa., Feb. 13 - Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. said that the Japanese Patent Office has issued a patent related to the company's lead product, Soliris brand of eculizumab, a long-acting C5 terminal complement inhibitor.

The issued claims encompass the use of eculizumab to inhibit complement activation in humans, according to a company news release. Alexion reported positive results from a pivotal phase 3 trial using Soliris in patients with a rare form of hemolytic anemia known as PNH.

Patients with PNH are at increased risk of forming life-threatening blood clots, or thromboses, a leading cause of death in this disease. There currently is no therapy specifically available for treatment of PNH, the release stated.

Eculizumab has been granted orphan drug status in the PNH indication from both the U.S. and European regulatory agencies.

Corresponding patent claims have issued in the United States, and additional corresponding patents are issued or are pending in Europe, Canada, Australia and other key markets.

"Following regulatory approvals, we plan to launch Soliris for PNH in at least 40 countries within three years of our first commercial launch," David Keiser, president and chief operating officer, said in the release.

Alexion is engaged in the discovery and development of therapeutic products aimed at hematologic and cardiovascular disorders, autoimmune diseases and cancer. The company is based in Cheshire, Conn.

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