Alexion Announces the Appointment of Ann M. Veneman to Its Board of Directors
Former Executive Director of UNICEF and Secretary of U.S. Department
of Agriculture
CHESHIRE, Conn., Jun 01, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALXN) today announced the
appointment of Ann M. Veneman to the Company's Board of Directors.
International Experience in Health and Wellness
Ann Veneman served as Executive Director of the United Nations
Children's Fund (UNICEF) from May 2005 to April 2010, leading a renowned
global organization which supports multiple aspects of child health,
nutrition, safety and education in over 150 countries and territories.
Her responsibilities included oversight of the annual delivery of
millions of doses of life-saving therapies, largely through UNICEF's
extensive global partnerships with governments and non-governmental
organizations at all levels. Under Ms. Veneman's leadership, UNICEF
launched initiatives to improve business practices, transparency and
collaboration in order to ensure that the agency's programs reached
those most vulnerable and that its resources were utilized efficiently
to protect, save and improve the lives of children around the world.
Prior to joining UNICEF, Ms. Veneman served as Secretary of the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) from January 2001 to January 2005. At
the USDA, she led an organization of 110,000 employees with an annual
budget of $113 billion. Among her responsibilities at this diverse
agency was leadership of the nation's food and nutrition programs,
including services for food stamps, school lunch programs, and nutrition
assistance for women, infants, and children.
An attorney by training, Ms. Veneman has practiced law in Washington,
D.C. and California. Ms. Veneman earned her Bachelor's degree in
political science from the University of California, Davis; a Master's
degree in public policy from the University of California, Berkeley; and
a Juris Doctorate from the University of California, Hastings College of
Law.
"We are delighted to welcome Ann Veneman to the Board of Alexion," said
Max Link, Ph.D., Chairman of the Board of Directors of Alexion
Pharmaceuticals. "Ann's extensive experience in leading complex
organizations on an international basis will be of significant value as
Alexion continues its global expansion."
"Ann's remarkable track record in public service and natural concern for
the well-being of people around the globe aligns closely with Alexion's
mission as we work to bring the hope of Soliris to patients on an
increasingly global basis," said Leonard Bell, M.D., Chief Executive
Officer of Alexion Pharmaceuticals.
"I am honored to serve on Alexion's Board of Directors and to contribute
to its unique efforts in developing and delivering critical therapies
for those patients who are most in need of treatments for severe and
life-threatening illnesses," said Ms. Veneman.
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, other
inflammatory disorders, and cancer. Soliris(R) (eculizumab) is Alexion's
first marketed product. 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.
[ALXN-G]
SOURCE: Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Irving Adler, 203-271-8210
Sr. Director, Corporate Communications
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