Business	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
Business [Abstract]
Business	Business Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Alexion, the Company, we, our or us) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on serving patients with devastating and ultra-rare disorders through the innovation, development and commercialization of life-transforming therapeutic products. In our complement franchise, Soliris® (eculizumab) is the first and only therapeutic approved for patients with either paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), a life-threatening and ultra-rare genetic blood disorder, or atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), a life-threatening and ultra-rare genetic disease. PNH and aHUS are two disorders resulting from chronic uncontrolled activation of the complement component of the immune system. In our metabolic franchise, we commercialize Strensiq® (asfotase alfa) for the treatment of patients with hypophosphatasia (HPP) and Kanuma® (sebelipase alfa) for the treatment of patients with lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LAL-D). HPP is a genetic ultra-rare disease characterized by defective bone mineralization that can lead to deformity of bones and other skeletal abnormalities. LAL-D is a serious, life threatening ultra-rare disease in which genetic mutations result in decreased activity of the LAL enzyme leading to marked accumulation of lipids in vital organs, blood vessels and other tissues. We are also evaluating additional potential indications for eculizumab in other severe and devastating diseases in which uncontrolled complement activation is the underlying mechanism, and we are progressing in various stages of development with additional product candidates as potential treatments for patients with severe and life-threatening rare disorders.

Business

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Alexion, the Company, we, our or us) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on serving patients with devastating and ultra-rare disorders through the innovation, development and commercialization of life-transforming therapeutic products.

In our complement franchise, Soliris® (eculizumab) is the first and only therapeutic approved for patients with either paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), a life-threatening and ultra-rare genetic blood disorder, or atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), a life-threatening and ultra-rare genetic disease. PNH and aHUS are two disorders resulting from chronic uncontrolled activation of the complement component of the immune system.

In our metabolic franchise, we commercialize Strensiq® (asfotase alfa) for the treatment of patients with hypophosphatasia (HPP) and Kanuma® (sebelipase alfa) for the treatment of patients with lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LAL-D). HPP is a genetic ultra-rare disease characterized by defective bone mineralization that can lead to deformity of bones and other skeletal abnormalities. LAL-D is a serious, life threatening ultra-rare disease in which genetic mutations result in decreased activity of the LAL enzyme leading to marked accumulation of lipids in vital organs, blood vessels and other tissues.

We are also evaluating additional potential indications for eculizumab in other severe and devastating diseases in which uncontrolled complement activation is the underlying mechanism, and we are progressing in various stages of development with additional product candidates as potential treatments for patients with severe and life-threatening rare disorders.