From left: New Haven Mayor John DeStefano, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Governor Dan Malloy, Alexion CEO Leonard Bell, Rep. Rosa Delauro and Yale University VP Bruce Alexander (photo: Business Wire)
Alexion Pharmaceuticals has broken ground on the site for its new global headquarters in New Haven, Connecticut.
The rare diseases specialist will occupy nine floors at the College Street site and expects to move across the state from its current Cheshire base to take residency at the site in 2015.
Leonard Bell, chief executive officer of Alexion, said: “Our new global headquarters will support our continued growth as we work to develop and deliver life-transforming therapies for patients with severe and life-threatening disorders that are also ultra-rare.
“We are especially pleased by this step because our return to New Haven is a homecoming for our company, and we are able to take part in the redevelopment of the downtown area.”
Alexion was founded 20 years ago in New Haven and currently employs more than 400 people at its present Connecticut site.
Sales of its lead terminal complement inhibitor Soliris (eculizumab) last year topped $1.1bn and asfotase alfa, its treatment for the inherited metabolic disorder hypophosphatasia that last month received breakthrough status from the FDA, could give the company a second big-selling product.
Once the company’s new HQ is ready they will be relocated to New Haven, where Alexion plans to add up to another 300 new jobs as part of its expansion plans.
