Stephen Squinto, Ph.D., co-founder and executive vice president, chief global operations officer of Alexion Pharmaceuticals, will retire from the company effective January 1, 2015. Dr. Squinto co-founded Alexion in 1992 with Leonard Bell, M.D., the company’s chairman and chief executive officer.
 
Dr. Squinto has held numerous leadership positions at Alexion, including executive vice president, head of R&D, leading the development of Soliris (eculizumab) in atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, resulting in a second approved indication for in the U.S., Europe and Japan. He also contributed to Alexion’s acquisition and further development of asfotase alfa as a potential treatment for patients with hypophosphatasia. Upon retirement, he will serve as chair of a newly formed Scientific Advisory Board for Alexion’s discovery science and pipeline.
 
“For the past 22 years, Steve has been a partner in medical innovation, helping to build Alexion from our initial handful of employees to our current multinational footprint with operations serving patients in over 50 countries around the world. The entire Alexion organization thanks him for his tremendous contributions toward advancing our mission to transform the lives of patients suffering with severe and life-threatening diseases. Although I will miss Steve’s daily presence upon his retirement, we are very pleased that he will continue to help us drive innovation by both establishing and serving as Chair of our newly formed Scientific Advisory Board,” said Dr. Bell.
 
Julie O’Neill has been appointed executive vice president, Global Operations, reporting to Dr. Bell. She joined the company in February 2014 as senior vice president of Global Manufacturing Operations, serving simultaneously as Alexion’s general manager for Ireland. Ms. O’Neill has been responsible for leading global supply chain operations, including the ongoing expansion into Ireland and improvements to Alexion’s manufacturing plant in Smithfield, RI.
 
Prior to joining Alexion, Ms. O’Neill held leadership positions in pharmaceutical manufacturing and quality for more than 20 years, most recently as vice president of operations and general manager for Ireland at Gilead Sciences. She also held leadership positions in operations, manufacturing and quality functions at Burnil Pharmacies and Helsinn Birex Pharmaceuticals.

“I congratulate Julie on her promotion,” said Dr. Bell. “Julie has a strong track record as an outstanding leader in both manufacturing and quality operations. At Alexion, she has been instrumental in expanding and improving our manufacturing and supply chain operations in the U.S., Europe, and Asia, our build out of additional supply chain facilities and operations in Ireland, the recruitment of an increasingly talented team, and in improving quality operations across Alexion.”