Alexion Reports Third Quarter 2008 Results

Continued Strong Uptake of Soliris(R) in U.S. and Europe

Reported Net Sales of $76.5 Million Include Recognition of $5.3 Million for
Prior Quarter Shipments

Company Revises Revenue Guidance Upward and Expense Guidance Downward, and
Forecasts GAAP Profit in Full Year 2008

Pipeline Progress in Hematology, Oncology, Transplant, Neurology

Third Quarter 2008 Financial Highlights:

-- Soliris(R) (eculizumab) net product sales of $76.5 million in Q3 2008
consisted of $71.2 million in net product sales for shipments that occurred in
Q3 plus recognition of $5.3 million from net product sales associated with the
decision of certain government payors during Q3 to reimburse for Soliris
shipments that occurred in previous quarters.

-- Q3 GAAP net income was $19.7 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, compared
to a GAAP net loss of $20.1 million, or $0.27 net loss per share, in Q3 2007.

-- Q3 non-GAAP net income was $25.7 million, or $0.29 per diluted share,
compared to a non-GAAP net loss of $14.0 million, or $0.19 net loss per share,
in Q3 2007. Q3 2008 non-GAAP net income, excluding the recognition of $5.3
million from prior-quarter shipments would be $20.8 million, or $0.23 per
diluted share.

CHESHIRE, Conn., Oct. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alexion Pharmaceuticals,
Inc. ("Alexion" or the "Company," Nasdaq: ALXN) today announced financial
results for the quarter ended September 30, 2008.

Third Quarter 2008 Financial Results:

For the three months ended September 30, 2008, Alexion reported total revenues
of $76.5 million from net product sales of Soliris(R) (eculizumab), compared
to total revenues of $21.8 million for the same period in 2007. The Q3 2008
revenues consisted of $71.2 million of net product sales from Soliris
shipments during Q3, plus recognition of $5.3 million from net product sales
associated with the Q3 2008 decision of certain government payors to reimburse
for past Soliris shipments. The $71.2 million in sales from shipments during
Q3 represents a 19 percent increase from Soliris net product sales of $59.6
million in the prior quarter, Q2 2008.

Soliris, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in March 2007
and the European Commission (EC) in June 2007, is the only drug specifically
indicated for the treatment of patients with paroxysmal nocturnal
hemoglobinuria ("PNH"), a rare, debilitating and life-threatening blood
disease.

The Company reports both GAAP operating results and non-GAAP operating
results. Non-GAAP operating results are equal to GAAP operating results
excluding the impact of share-based compensation. The following summary table
is provided for investors' convenience. A further reconciliation and
explanation of the GAAP to non-GAAP figures appears at the end of this
announcement.

(Millions of U.S. dollars, except per-share data)

Quarter Ended Sept. 30,
2008 2007

Net Product Sales $76.5 $21.8
------------------------
Total Revenues $76.5 $22.1
------------------------

GAAP Net Income (Loss) $19.7 $(20.1)
Share-Based Compensation $6.0 $6.1
------------------------
Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss) $25.7 $(14.0)

GAAP Net Income (Loss)
Per Share - Diluted $0.23 ($0.27)
Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss)
Per Share - Diluted $0.29 ($0.19)

The Company effected a 2-for-1 stock split in the form of a 100 percent stock
dividend for shareholders of record on August 12, 2008, with payment on August
22, 2008. All share and per-share amounts have been adjusted to reflect this
split.

Third Quarter 2008 (Q3 2008) Non-GAAP Financial Results
The Company reported non-GAAP net income for Q3 2008 of $25.7 million, or
$0.29 per diluted share, compared to a non-GAAP net loss of $14.0 million, or
$0.19 per share, in the year-ago quarter, Q3 2007. Alexion reported non-GAAP
net income of $8.4 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, in the prior quarter,
Q2 2008.

Q3 2008 non-GAAP net income, excluding the recognition of $5.3 million in
prior quarter shipments, would be $20.8 million, or $0.23 per diluted share.

Alexion's non-GAAP operating expenses for Q3 2008 were $41.0 million, compared
to $35.8 million for Q3 2007. Non-GAAP research and development ("R&D")
expenses for Q3 2008 were $13.7 million, compared to $14.0 million for the
year-ago quarter. Non-GAAP selling, general and administrative ("SG&A")
expenses for Q3 2008 were $27.3 million, compared to $21.7 million for Q3
2007. The increase in non-GAAP SG&A expenses primarily reflected costs
associated with the expansion of the Company's commercial operations in the
U.S. and Europe to support the ongoing commercial launch of Soliris.

Third Quarter 2008 GAAP Financial Results
Alexion reported GAAP net income for the third quarter of 2008 of $19.7
million, or $0.23 per diluted share, compared to a GAAP net loss of $20.1
million, or $0.27 net loss per share, for Q3 2007 and GAAP net income of $2.4
million, or $0.03 per share, in the prior quarter, Q2 2008.

On a GAAP basis, operating expenses for Q3 2008 were $46.9 million, compared
to $41.9 million for Q3 2007. R&D expenses for Q3 2008 were $14.9 million,
compared to $16.9 million for the year-ago quarter. The decrease in R&D
expenses in Q3 2008 compared with the year ago quarter primarily reflects the
capitalization of a portion of stock-based compensation in 2008. SG&A
expenses were $32.0 million for Q3 2008, compared to $24.9 million for Q3
2007. The increase in GAAP SG&A expenses primarily reflected costs associated
with the expansion of the Company's commercial operations in the U.S. and
Europe to support the ongoing commercial launch of Soliris.

Balance Sheet:

As of September 30, 2008, the Company had $126.4 million in cash, cash
equivalents, restricted cash and marketable securities, compared to $106.7
million at December 31, 2007. During the quarter, the Company repaid the
outstanding balance on its revolving credit facility, and the facility remains
available for borrowing.

Prix Galien Award:

On September 24, 2008, Soliris received the Prix Galien USA 2008 Award for
Best Biotechnology Product with broad implications for future biomedical
research. The Award recognizes the scientific innovation represented by the
first-in-class complement-inhibition technology of Soliris, and the impact the
drug is having on the lives of patients with PNH. The 11-member Prix Galien
USA Award Committee includes seven Nobel Laureates, and the Award is
considered the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry's highest accolade.

"The Prix Galien was a gratifying acknowledgement of our breakthrough
scientific discovery and development underlying Soliris, which spanned more
than 15 years, and has resulted in life-changing benefits for patients
suffering with PNH," said Leonard Bell, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of
Alexion. "The Award reflects our ongoing commitment to the PNH community, and
also points to the potential of our complement-inhibition technology to
provide treatments to patients with other rare, severe and life-threatening
diseases."

Research and Development:

Soliris as a Treatment for Patients with PNH
In the third quarter, Alexion began analysis of the data collected during its
AEGIS study, a single registration study to evaluate the safety, efficacy and
pharmacology of Soliris as a treatment for Japanese patients with PNH. The
Company expects top-line data to be presented at an upcoming international
scientific meeting and to file its application for marketing authorization
with the Japanese regulatory authorities in 2009.

Soliris as a Treatment for Patients with Other Rare and Severe Diseases
With the FDA approval of Soliris as a treatment for PNH in 2007, Alexion
became the first company to discover and develop a terminal complement
inhibitor into a commercial product. The Company is currently developing
clinical programs to investigate the use of Soliris as a treatment for
patients with other complement-mediated disorders, including three severe,
life-threatening and rare hematologic disorders: atypical hemolytic uremic
syndrome ("aHUS"), a disease in which the lack of naturally occurring
complement inhibitors can cause life-threatening kidney damage; catastrophic
anti-phospholipid syndrome ("CAPS"), a disorder in which uncontrollable blood
clotting often leads to multiple organ failure; and cold hemagglutinin disease
("CAD"), an auto-immune hemolytic anemia.

In neurology, the first patients are now being screened for inclusion in a
clinical study of Soliris as a treatment for patients with myasthenia gravis
("MG"), a rare, disabling and sometimes life-threatening complement-mediated
neurologic disorder. The Company previously announced that it had received
FDA authorization of an Investigational New Drug application ("IND") for the
study. In addition, patient enrollment is continuing in an
investigator-sponsored clinical trial evaluating the use of Soliris in a
population of kidney transplant patients who are known to have a higher risk
of organ rejection.

Oncology Program
Alexion is developing its novel, first-in-class humanized anti-CD200
monoclonal antibody, which is designed to enhance the immune response to
several types of malignant tumors. The antibody targets the CD200 molecule,
which is upregulated in several cancers, including chronic lymphocytic
leukemia ("CLL"), multiple myeloma, melanoma, ovarian cancer and
neuroblastoma. During the third quarter, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
issued a composition-of-matter patent covering Alexion's anti-CD200 antibody.
Antibody dosing in a Phase I/II study in patients with CLL continued in the
third quarter.

Q3 2008 Soliris Commercial Update:

In the third quarter, the Company continued to add significant numbers of
newly identified patients in the U.S. and in European countries, and to
transition other treated patients to full commercial status. Patients are on
commercial Soliris in more than 15 countries.

"Our disease awareness efforts, diagnostic initiatives and patient access
programs are helping to reach our objective that every patient with PNH who
can benefit from Soliris will have access to Soliris," said David Keiser,
President and Chief Operating Officer of Alexion. "In the U.S., we are seeing
a continued increase in diagnostic testing of patients with a higher
likelihood of having PNH, resulting in more effective identification of PNH
patients. In Europe, more patients in more countries are obtaining the drug
through their national healthcare systems. We are especially pleased that the
English government will fund treatment for patients with PNH starting in the
second quarter of 2009."

2008 Financial Guidance:

Alexion is revising upward its previously announced guidance for worldwide
Soliris net product sales, from a previous range of $235 to $245 million to a
higher range of $256 to $258 million for full-year 2008. In addition, the
Company now forecasts that it will report a GAAP profit for both the fourth
quarter and the full year 2008.

This revenue guidance anticipates that incremental growth in Q4 2008 patient
numbers and unit sales will be similar to or higher than that experienced in
Q3, and takes into account expectations for a weaker Euro in Q4 2008 compared
with Q3 2008.

The Company is revising downward its expense guidance. Guidance for the cost
of sales, including royalties, remains unchanged at 12 percent to 14 percent
of net product sales. Full-year 2008 guidance is reiterated for R&D expenses
in a range of $65 to $70 million. Full-year 2008 guidance for SG&A expenses
is revised downward from a previous range of $115 to $125 million to a reduced
range of $113 to $118 million. The reduction in SG&A guidance is partially
driven by the Company's expectations for a weaker Euro in Q4 2008 compared
with Q3 2008. Full year guidance for 2008 total operating expenses is revised
downward from a previous range of $180 to $195 million to a reduced range of
$178 to $188 million. The guidance for R&D and SG&A expenses excludes
share-based compensation expense, which is expected to be in a range of $24 to
$26 million for the year.

Conference Call/Web Cast Information
Alexion will host a conference call/webcast to discuss matters mentioned in
this release. The call is scheduled for today, October 23, 2008, at 10:00
a.m., Eastern Time. To participate in this call, dial 719-325-4764,
confirmation code 4334407, shortly before 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time. A replay
of the call will be available for a limited period following the call,
beginning at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time today. The replay number is 719-457-0820,
confirmation code 4334407. The audio webcast can be accessed at
www.alexionpharma.com.

About Soliris
Soliris is the first product approved for the treatment of patients with PNH
in the U.S. and Europe. PNH is a rare, debilitating and life-threatening
blood disorder defined by the destruction of red blood cells, or hemolysis.
In patients with PNH, hemolysis can cause life-threatening thromboses,
recurrent pain, kidney disease, disabling fatigue, impaired quality of life,
severe anemia, pulmonary hypertension, shortness of breath and intermittent
episodes of dark-colored urine (hemoglobinuria). Soliris, or eculizumab, is
the only treatment that blocks this hemolysis.

About Alexion
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company working to
develop and deliver life-changing drug therapies for patients with serious and
life-threatening medical conditions. The Company is engaged in the discovery,
development and commercialization of therapeutic products aimed at treating
patients with a wide array of severe disease states, including hematologic
diseases, cancer and autoimmune disorders. In March 2007, the FDA granted
marketing approval for the Company's first product, Soliris for all patients
with PNH. In June 2007, the European Commission granted marketing approval
for Soliris in the European Union for all patients with PNH. The Company is
evaluating other potential indications for Soliris, as well as other
formulations of eculizumab for additional clinical indications. In addition,
Alexion is pursuing development of an anti-CD200 monoclonal antibody as a
treatment for patients with cancer, and evaluating development of other
antibody product candidates in early stages of development. This press
release and further information about Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. can be
found at: www.alexionpharma.com.

This press release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures that involve
adjustments to GAAP figures. Alexion believes that these non-GAAP financial
measures, when considered together with the GAAP figures, can enhance an
overall understanding of Alexion's past financial performance and its
prospects for the future. The non-GAAP financial measures are included with
the intent of providing both management and investors with a more complete
understanding of underlying operational results and trends. In addition,
these non-GAAP financial measures are among the primary indicators Alexion
management uses for planning and forecasting purposes and measuring the
Company's performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are not intended to
be considered in isolation or as a substitute for GAAP figures. A
reconciliation of the non-GAAP to GAAP figures follows this press release.

[ALXN-E]

This news release contains forward-looking statements, including statements
related to guidance regarding anticipated financial results for Q4 and the
full year 2008; potential benefits and commercial potential for Soliris;
marketing approval, price approval and funding processes in the United Kingdom
and in other countries; status and levels of reimbursement provided by
healthcare payors; impact of Soliris on lives of patients with PNH; potential
of Alexion's complement-inhibition technology for treatment of diseases other
than PNH; anticipated continued incremental growth in patient numbers and unit
sales; effectiveness and utilization of tests for identifying patients with
PNH; plans to seek regulatory approval of PNH in Japan; plans for clinical
programs for Soliris in non-PNH indications; expectations about progress of
and reporting of data from clinical trials and studies for Soliris in PNH and
non-PNH indications and other products and expectations for a weaker Euro.
Forward-looking statements are subject to factors that may cause Alexion's
results and plans to differ from those expected, including for example,
decisions of regulatory authorities regarding marketing approval or material
limitations on the marketing of Soliris; delays in developing or adverse
changes in commercial relationships; the possibility that results of clinical
trials of Soliris are not predictive of safety and efficacy and Soliris is
found to be less safe or effective when utilized in broader patient
populations within the studied disease or if utilized for other diseases; the
possibility that initial results of commercialization are not predictive of
future rates of adoption of Soliris; the risk that third parties won't agree
to license any necessary intellectual property to us on reasonable terms or at
all; the risk that third party payors (including governmental agencies) will
not reimburse for the use of Soliris at acceptable rates or at all; the risk
that estimates regarding the number of people with PNH are inaccurate; the
risk that ongoing litigation may be resolved adversely; and a variety of other
risks set forth from time to time in Alexion's filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, including but not limited to the risks discussed in
Alexion's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2008 and
in Alexion's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Alexion does not intend to update any of these forward-looking statements to
reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, except when a duty
arises under law.

ALEXION PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Selected Financial Data
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

Consolidated Statements of
Operations Data: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30 September 30
---------------- --------------
2008 2007 2008 2007
---- ---- ---- ----
Revenues:
Net product sales $ 76,500 $ 21,793 $181,605 $ 32,524
Contract research
revenues - 317 95 5,660
------ ------- ------ -------
Total revenues 76,500 22,110 181,700 38,184

Cost of sales 8,948 2,154 21,554 3,305

Operating expenses:
Research and development 14,874 16,906 47,306 53,318
Selling, general and
administrative 32,064 24,944 94,754 67,571
------ ------- ------ -------
Total operating
expenses 46,938 41,850 142,060 120,889
------ ------- ------ -------

Operating income (loss) 20,614 (21,894) 18,086 (86,010)
------ ------- ------ -------

Other income (expense):
Investment income 690 1,796 2,071 6,724
Interest expense (634) (643) (1,975) (1,854)
Foreign currency gain (loss) (566) 578 (200) 924
------ ------- ------ -------
(510) 1,731 (104) 5,794
------ ------- ------ -------

Income tax provision (benefit) 415 (78) 169 (258)
------ ------- ------ -------

Net income (loss) $ 19,689 $(20,085) $ 17,813 $(79,958)
======= ======== ======= ========

Net income (loss) per share
Basic $ 0.26 $ (0.27) $ 0.24 $ (1.11)
Diluted $ 0.23 $ (0.27) $ 0.22 $ (1.11)

Shares used in computing
net income (loss)
per common share
Basic 76,658 73,328 75,794 72,046
Diluted 89,843 73,328 88,797 72,046

Consolidated Balance
Sheet Data: As of
----------------------
September December
30, 2008 31, 2007
--------- --------
Cash, cash equivalents
and marketable
securities (a) $126,402 $106,712
Total assets 430,343 334,357
Total stockholders'
equity 173,760 101,556

(a) Amount includes restricted cash of $552 and $958 at September 30,
2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

ALEXION PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Selected Financial Data
(Unaudited) (Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

Non-GAAP financial information is adjusted to exclude the impact of
share-based compensation. The following table represents a reconciliation of
GAAP to non-GAAP financial information for the three and nine months ended
September 30, 2008 and 2007, as well as the three months ended June 30, 2008:

Non-GAAP
Reported Share-Based Excluding
GAAP Compensation Share-Based
Amounts Adjustment Compensation
-------- ------------ -------------
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2008
Research and development $ 47,306 $ (4,352) $ 42,954
Selling, general and
administrative 94,754 (13,529) 81,225
Operating expenses 142,060 (17,881) 124,179
Net income (loss) 17,813 17,881 35,694

Net income (loss) per share
Basic $ 0.24 $ 0.24 $ 0.47
Diluted $ 0.22 $ 0.20 $ 0.41 (a)

Shares used in computing
net income (loss)
Basic 75,794 75,794
Diluted 88,797 90,262

Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2007
Research and development $ 53,318 $ (7,555) $ 45,763
Selling, general and
administrative 67,571 (8,831) 58,740
Operating expenses 120,889 (16,386) 104,503
Net loss (79,958) 16,386 (63,572)

Basic and diluted net loss
per share $ (1.11) $ 0.23 $ (0.88)

Three Months Ended
September 30, 2008
Research and development $ 14,874 $ (1,200) $ 13,674
Selling, general and
administrative 32,064 (4,790) 27,274
Operating expenses 46,938 (5,990) $ 40,948
Net income 19,689 5,990 $ 25,679

Net income per share
Basic $ 0.26 $ 0.08 $ 0.33
Diluted $ 0.23 $ 0.07 $ 0.29 (a)

Shares used in computing
net income
Basic 76,658 76,658
Diluted 89,843 91,108

Three Months Ended
September 30, 2007
Research and development $ 16,906 $ (2,867) $ 14,039
Selling, general and
administrative 24,944 (3,198) $ 21,746
Operating expenses 41,850 (6,065) $ 35,785
Net loss (20,085) 6,065 $ (14,020)

Basic and diluted net loss
per share $ (0.27) $ 0.09 $ (0.19)

Three Months Ended June 30, 2008
Research and development $ 16,825 $ (1,525) $ 15,300
Selling, general and
administrative 32,907 (4,479) $ 28,428
Operating expenses 49,732 (6,004) $ 43,728
Net income 2,374 6,004 $ 8,378

Net income per share
Basic $ 0.03 $ 0.08 $ 0.11
Diluted $ 0.03 $ 0.08 $ 0.10

Shares used in computing
net income
Basic 75,684 75,684
Diluted 78,990 89,968

(a) In accordance with FAS 128, diluted earnings per share for
the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 includes the
dilutive impact of 9,538 if-converted shares from the Company's
convertible notes. Earnings per share for these periods is
calculated by adding back to net income the interest expense
associated with the convertible notes and by adding the if-converted
shares to the shares used to compute net income per share. The
interest expense was $528 and $1,694, respectively, for the three
and nine months ended September 30, 2008.

SOURCE Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Irving Adler, Sr. Director, Corporate
Communications, +1-203-271-8210; Makovsky & Company, Kristie Kuhl (Media),
+1-212-508-9642; Rx Communications, Rhonda Chiger (Investors),
+1-917-322-2569