Alexion acquires investigational therapy for MoCD Type A ultra-rare genetic disorder from Orphatec

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Feb 10 2011

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALXN) announced that it has purchased patents and assets from Germany-based Orphatec Pharmaceuticals GmbH related to an investigational therapy for patients with molybdenum cofactor deficiency (MoCD) Type A, a devastating ultra-rare genetic disorder characterized by severe brain damage and rapid death in newborns. Orphatec is a privately held development-stage biotechnology company with headquarters in Cologne, Germany. In addition, Alexion has established a research collaboration with key MoCD researchers from Orphatec to accelerate development of the investigational therapy.

“Alexion's proven expertise in developing drugs for patients suffering from ultra-rare disorders now brings meaningful hope that the work begun by the Orphatec team can result in the first-ever approved treatment for these most helpless of patients and their families.”