Home health remedies JPM: Alexion to take Ultomiris into tough ALS study as switching campaign...

JPM: Alexion to take Ultomiris into tough ALS study as switching campaign exceeds expectations

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Alexion’s winning its campaign to switch patients from its blockbuster Soliris to next-gen follow-up Ultomiris. Not content to simply move patients over, though, the company’s taking a swing at a new Ultomiris indication where other candidates have struck out.

The company will start a phase 3 trial for Ultomiris in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), an indication with zero approved treatments, the drugmaker said Tuesday. 

Instead of painting your typical rosy picture of future success, Alexion CEO Ludwig Hantson admitted it’s a long shot. Basically, ALS is not on Alexion’s list of high-probability wins. 

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“We are aware that this is a high-risk, high reward program,” Hantson said Tuesday at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco. 

Alexion submitted an investigational new drug application to the FDA for Ultomiris in ALS in the fourth quarter and plans to launch the phase 3 study this quarter, the drugmaker said in a release.

RELATED: Alexion shoots down ‘proactive’ sale demand from activist investor

RELATED: Alexion inks deal to acquire Achillion for $930M upfront

Alexion is also facing pressure from within despite its recent success. In November, Alexion’s directors opted not to pursue a sale after a “good faith” conversation with Elliott Advisors—an affiliate of infamous proxy brawler Elliott Management, which requested the sale, the company said. 

As part of its rebuttal to Elliott’s request, the board touted its corporate strategy, including its “M&A leadership, including evaluating, negotiating and executing on numerous mergers, acquisitions and sales of major companies throughout their careers.” 

Hantson backed up that M&A record Tuesday, touting the drugmaker’s recent pickup of biotech Achillion for $930 million in December as a diversifying addition to Alexion’s portfolio and a “a good reflection of our goal to bring external innovation into this company.”

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