Alexion's Shakeup Continues as Four Executives Exit -- Update

By Bowdeya Tweh and Jonathan D. Rockoff 

Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s new chief executive is reshaping the top ranks of the organization following an internal investigation into sales practices prompted by a former employee.

Ludwig Hantson, who was named Alexion's chief executive in March, will have a new chief financial officer because Dave Anderson, who joined the company in December after more than a decade as CFO at Honeywell International Inc., plans to leave in August. Mr. Anderson had replaced Vikas Sinha, who abruptly resigned last year along with CEO David Hallal during the sales practices investigation.

Shares in Alexion fell 9.7% to $104.18 in midday trading.

Three other company executives -- Alexion's chief commercial officer, its head of research and development, and its chief human resources officer -- are also leaving, Alexion said Tuesday.

Mr. Hantson had replaced David Brennan, who had served as interim CEO.

"Ludwig is a talented and capable CEO," a company spokesman said Tuesday. "The company is recruiting a strong CFO to join with him in the long term to drive growth and profitability."

Earlier this year, Alexion said it found senior management staff had pressured employees to get customers to order its flagship drug Soliris earlier than needed to meet financial targets. The disclosure followed an investigation into allegations made by a former employee.

Alexion, which produces treatments for rare disorders, generated nearly $3.1 billion of revenue in 2016 and it has a market value of $23.8 billion.

Write to Bowdeya Tweh at [e-mail] and Jonathan D. Rockoff at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 23, 2017 13:09 ET (17:09 GMT)

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