Projo Biz Blog

Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. has completed the transformation of the former Dow Chemical plant in Smithfield into a biopharmaceutical facility for the manufacture of the drug Soliris.

In a speech at the Wachovia Securities 2007 Healthcare Conference, held in Boston last week, Alexion Chief Executive Officer Leonard Bell said the company is now testing the Smithfield facility as part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval process.

"Our manufacturing plant construction and program for development is underway in our Rhode Island manufacturing facility," Bell said. "The engineering run is underway and we are progressing there as well towards starting validation studies later this year."

Alexion has spent nearly $80 million renovating the former Dow Chemical plant. Soliris is the only drug approved to treat paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, a rare disease that destroys red blood cells and can lead to severe anemia, blood clots and damage to the kidneys and liver.

Relying on contract facilities, Alexion began selling Soliris in the U.S. last April, and in Europe later last year. It has been expanding its U.S. sales force, and it has applied for approval to sell the drug in Australia and Japan.

Alexion, based in Cheshire, Conn., will announce its fourth-quarter earnings on Thursday, Feb. 14, the company has announced. Alexion officials will discuss the earnings report during a conference call and audio Web cast starting at 10 a.m.

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