Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. is accelerating by three months to the third quarter the introduction of its Soliris blood disorder treatment in Japan, a move that enhances the Cheshire drug maker’s 2010 financial outlook.
Wall Street warmly greeted the news. At 11 a.m., Alexion shares were up $2.46, or 5 percent, to $51.30.
Alexion said Wednesday its decision to introduce Soliris early was prompted by Japanese drug regulators’ speedy approval of the use of the treatment for a rare disorder that destroys red blood cells at hospitals in that country.
Japanese care centers need about one to three months to include Soliris in their formularies used for treatment reimbursement, the company said.
With the Japan sales stream coming on line sooner than expected, Alexion raised its revenue guidance for 2010 to $515 million to $530 million — $10 million more than the previous upper and lower limits.
It also raised its annual earnings forecast to $1.63 to $1.68 a share, up from the previous estimate of $1.60 to $1.65.
