Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALXN) today reported positive preliminary six month interim results from SHEPHERD, its second Phase III trial testing Soliris(TM) (eculizumab) in a broader population of Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria ("PNH") patients. SHEPHERD is an open-label, non-placebo controlled 12 month Phase III PNH study which is primarily focused on examining safety, as well as efficacy measures. Interim results show that Soliris(TM) (eculizumab) appeared to be safe and well tolerated.

All pre-specified primary and secondary efficacy endpoints in the international trial were achieved with statistical significance. The pre-specified primary surrogate of efficacy endpoint was intravascular hemolysis, the underlying disease process and primary clinical manifestation in PNH, as measured by lactate dehydrogenase area under the curve (LDH AUC). The LDH AUC was significantly decreased (P