David L. Hallal has been appointed chief executive officer of Alexion Pharmaceuticals, effective April 1, 2015. Mr. Hallal currently serves as chief operating officer and is director of the board. He will succeed Leonard Bell, M.D., who will retire and continue to serve as chairman. Dr. Bell was the principal founder of Alexion in 1992 and has served as chief executive officer for the past 23 years.
 
Mr. Hallal has more than 25 years of experience in the biopharma industry. He joined the company in 2006 to initiate commercial operations and has served in key leadership positions, including chief commercial officer. Mr. Hallal has played a principal role in leading the company’s key growth initiatives, including the successful launches of Soliris (eculizumab) in PNH and aHUS and the building of Alexion’s 50-country operating platform.
 
“Since founding Alexion in 1992, Lenny has taken Alexion from a start-up venture to an S&P 500 company that is recognized as one of the most successful and innovative biotechnology companies in the world. Lenny’s vision, leadership and dedication to serving patients with rare and devastating diseases have positively transformed the lives of patients and their families around the world,” said R. Douglas Norby, Lead Director of Alexion’s Board of Directors. “This planned leadership transition comes at a time of great strength at Alexion. David’s outstanding performance and leadership at Alexion uniquely positions him to drive the Company’s growth as a multi-product, global organization.”
 
“As Alexion serves more patients with Soliris around the world and advances the most robust pipeline in our history, the time is right for the Company, and me personally, for David to become CEO in line with our succession plan,” said Dr. Bell. “David has demonstrated outstanding leadership over the past decade at Alexion and has been instrumental in driving the performance and building the culture for which we are known. As we have been increasingly sharing responsibilities over the last several years, I am very pleased that David will now lead Alexion in its relentless focus on serving more patients with severe and rare disorders worldwide. I look forward to continuing to guide the board and advising on strategic matters.”