Alexion Pharmaceuticals has acquired Taligen Therapeutics, a privately held development-stage biotechnology company based in Cambridge, MA. The $111 million acquisition broadens Alexion’s portfolio of product candidates and expands Alexion’s capabilities in translational medicine by bringing in additional researchers. Taligen has a number of preclinical compounds, including potential treatments for patients with ophthalmic diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), as well as other novel antibody and protein regulators of the complement inflammatory pathways.

The acquisition was completed with an upfront cash payment for 100% of Taligen’s equity interests. Additional contingent payments would be earned upon reaching various clinical efficacy and product approval milestones in both the U.S. and European Union for up to six products.

“Taligen’s talented scientists and impressive technology will enhance Alexion’s world-class staff and breakthrough research and development programs, substantially increasing our ability to develop first-in-class therapies for patients with severe diseases,” said Leonard Bell, M.D., chief executive officer of Alexion. “As product development opportunities continue to expand, we look forward to increasing the quality, speed, and throughput of our combined current and future development programs for the benefit of patients worldwide.”

Taligen’s scientific staff will form the nucleus of Alexion’s new Cambridge Massachusetts-based Translational Medicine Group, headed by Abbie Celniker, Ph.D., former chief executive officer of Taligen and now head of Translational Medicine at Alexion. Dr. Celniker will report to Stephen Squinto, Ph.D., executive vice president and head of R&D at Alexion.

“Alexion has proven how highly innovative science can result in life-transforming therapies for patients with debilitating disorders,” said Dr. Celniker. “We are excited to be combining our R&D capabilities with Alexion’s global team with the goal of accelerating the investigation of novel molecules from our combined portfolios and developing additional first-in-class compounds.”