Alexion Pharmaceuticals
Alexion Pharmaceuticals is the original developer and distributor of Soliris, a drug used in treating the rare disorders Hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) and Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). The company is also involved in research regarding the immune system and how it can be stopped from attacking healthy tissue. Alexion’s initial stock price was $109.34 and ending stock price was $116.60. Their highest stock price was $125.00 and lowest was $106.32. Their percentage gained was 6.6%. Their stock prices are for the most part consistent. Over the past few months the stock prices have fluctuated somewhat. The two reasons they have fluctuated greatly is because their revenue performance rose in the third quarter because of the addition of new patients with the PNH and HUS disorder and the FDA granted a breakthrough therapy designation to Alexion.
PNH is a rare disease in which red blood cells break down earlier than normal. HUS is a disorder that usually occurs when an infection in the digestive system produces toxic substances that destroy red blood cells, causing kidney injury. Patients that are diagnosed with these diseases often die in around 5 years without treatment. Because of the addition of patients that have requested Solirirs, there was a rise in their stocks. In addition to that, Alexion announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted a Breakthrough Therapy designation to cyclic pyranopterin monophosphate (cPMP), an enzyme co-factor replacement therapy for the treatment of patients with molybdenum cofactor deficiency (MoCD). MoCD is a severe and life-threatening, ultra-rare, genetic metabolic disorder that causes catastrophic and irreversible neurologic damage within the first weeks of life. Because of this opportunity being granted the price as well as the demand for their stocks increased.