Alexion Extends Its Commitment to a Green Footprint Through Its Ambitious New Solar Energy System
Zero-Carbon Source to Supplement Energy Supply at Cheshire Corporate
and Research Headquarters
CHESHIRE, Conn., Jun 19, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALXN) has completed the
installation of a 295 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system at the company's
Cheshire, Conn., corporate headquarters and research facility. State
officials and other guests joined Alexion employees at yesterday's
ceremony to "throw the switch" on the new system.
Alexion's PV system comprises 1,738 photovoltaic solar panels, mounted
on the rooftop of the Company's 125,000-square-foot facility in
Cheshire, which convert sunlight directly into electricity.
Approximately 9% of the facility's total electrical needs will be
provided by the solar installation, which is expected to produce more
than 329,000 kWh of power annually, resulting in an estimated reduction
of 380,000 lbs of CO2 emissions per year.
"This solar array is a key part of our corporate commitment to
responsible energy choices," said Leonard Bell, M.D., Chief Executive
Officer of Alexion. "We are continuing to drive toward a greener and
more cost-effective energy footprint in Cheshire and at other company
facilities. The installation of this system will ensure long-term
benefits to both the environment and our organization for years to come."
Connecticut State Representative Elizabeth Esty, whose home district
includes Cheshire, Wallingford, and Hamden, was in attendance at the
event and noted that, "Through this commitment to solar energy, Alexion
is demonstrating that good business and social responsibility can go
hand in hand." Representative Esty is a member of the Energy and
Technology Committee of the Connecticut House of Representatives.
Background
Alexion has a long-standing commitment to energy conservation and to the
communities in which it operates. Along with the installation of the new
PV system at its headquarters, the Company is pursuing additional
initiatives, including the retrofitting of lighting, heating, cooling
and control systems, in order to achieve an appreciable reduction in the
generation of greenhouse gases from its Cheshire operations.
Alexion's PV system was made possible by a grant from the Connecticut
Clean Energy Fund.
"We are proud to partner with Alexion in this investment in our state's
future. This initiative will help to stabilize the company's energy
costs and make their business less reliant on outside resources," said
Lise Dondy, President of the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund. "In
addition, the system will help to stabilize the local power grid by
reducing the demands during peak hours, which is beneficial to everyone
in the community."
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. Alexion 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 and kidney diseases, transplant, cancer, and
autoimmune disorders. Soliris is Alexion's first marketed product,
approved in the U.S. and Europe in 2007, and Canada and Australia in
2009. Alexion is evaluating other potential indications for Soliris as
well as other formulations of eculizumab for additional clinical
indications, and is pursuing 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.
About The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund
CCEF was created by the Connecticut General Assembly and is funded by
the electric ratepayers. CCEF's mission is to promote, develop and
invest in clean energy sources for the benefit of Connecticut's
ratepayers in order to strengthen Connecticut's economy, protect
community health, improve the environment, and promote a secure energy
supply for the state. CCEF is administered by Connecticut Innovations, a
quasi-public authority. For more information on CCEF, please visit http://www.ctcleanenergy.com.
[ALXN-G]
This news release contains forward-looking statements. 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, the possibility that results of
clinical trials are not predictive of safety and efficacy results of
Soliris in broader patient populations, the possibility that third party
payers will decide not to reimburse for use of Soliris at acceptable
levels or at all, 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 March 31, 2009. 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.
SOURCE: Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Irving Adler, 203-271-8210
Sr. Director
Corporate Communications
or
Makovsky & Company
Media
Kristie Kuhl, 212-508-9642
or
Rx Communications
Investors
Rhonda Chiger, 917-322-2569
Copyright Business Wire 2009