Cheshire drug maker Alexion Pharmaceuticals said more worldwide patients receiving its treatment for a rare blood disorder drove revenues and profits up in the first quarter.
Alexion earned $20.9 million, or 23 cents a diluted share, in the three months ended March 31, up from $14.5 million, or 16 cents a diluted share, the same period last year.
Revenues rose 45 percent to $117 million in the latest quarter from $81.3 million a year ago.
The results were ahead of Wall Street’s estimates.
Alexion’s sole product is Soliris, a drug to treat patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), a form of anemia.
Last week, Alexion won approval to market the drug in Japan. Soliris is cleared for use in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, among other global markets.
Alexion was down 59 cents, or 1.1 percent, at $55.26 at late morning trading.
