Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. posted a 41 percent jump in third-quarter net income as more global patients flocked to the Cheshire drugmaker’s blockbuster orphan drug.
Based on the performance Alexion raised its full-year sales and profit outlook.
For three months ended Sept. 30, Alexion said Wednesday it netted $92.2 million, or 46 cents a diluted share, up from $65.6 million, or 34 cents a share, netted the same period a year ago.
Third-quarter revenues rose 44 percent to $294.1 million vs. $204 million last year.
CEO Leonard Bell M.D. said Alexion’s revenue grew as new patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) began Soliris therapy in the U.S., Western Europe and Japan, as well as in new countries.
Also, European physicians now prescribe Soliris – the world’s most expensive drug – for sufferers of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), an ailment that damages kidneys.
Alexion raised its 2012 revenue guidance to $1.12 billion to $1.13 billion, which had been the upper range of its previous outlook of $1.11 billion to $1.125 billion.
Its annual profit outlook is now $1.99 to $2.04 a share, up from $1.78 to $1.88 a share.
