AGNSS Recommends Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s Soliris® (eculizumab) for aHUS and Concludes "Eculizumab Would Help Save Lives and Improve the Quality of Life for Children and Adults With Atypical Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome"

WEYBRIDGE, England--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alexion Pharma UK, a subsidiary of Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., has been informed by the National Specialised Commissioning Team (NSCT) that the Ministers of Health have decided to not follow a positive recommendation by the Advisory Group for National Specialised Services (AGNSS) when assessing Soliris® (eculizumab) as a treatment for patients with atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS). It is important to underscore that the UK Government developed a specific process and authorised a committee, AGNSS, to evaluate treatments addressing patients with very rare disorders, and that AGNSS concluded that “eculizumab should be routinely nationally commissioned for patients with aHUS.” AGNSS further stated that, “Eculizumab would help save lives and improve the quality of life for children (among whom the condition is particularly prevalent) and adults with atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome.” However, the Ministers of Health have overruled this expert committee recommendation and instead referred consideration of Soliris for the treatment of patients with aHUS to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).