Achillion

Achillion Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company that specialized in the discovery and development of small molecule drug candidates for the treatment of complement-mediated diseases. The company's research focused on the alternative pathway of the complement system, specifically targeting Factor D to address rare diseases such as paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) and C3 glomerulopathy (C3G). Its lead candidate, danicopan (ACH-4471), was developed as an oral treatment to be used alone or in combination with C5 inhibitors like eculizumab. Achillion's platform also produced next-generation Factor D inhibitors with improved potency and pharmacokinetic profiles. In early 2020, the company was acquired by Alexion Pharmaceuticals for approximately $930 million upfront to expand their leadership in complement-mediated disorders. Following the acquisition, Achillion's programs were integrated into Alexion's rare disease pipeline, which was subsequently acquired by AstraZeneca.