David L. Hallal

From 1992 to 2002 Hallal worked at Amgen, the world's largest independent, multinational, biopharmaceutical, biotechnology firm.[6][7] While at Amgen, Hallal focused on Amgen's blockbuster brands Epoetin alfa (brand name Epogen) and Filgrastim (brand name Neupogen), Pegfilgrastim (brand name Neulasta) and Darbepoetin alfa (brand name Aranesp) in the hematology and oncology marketplace, in various escalating leadership positions.[1] During that time he forged "relationships with many of the largest managed care organizations in the U.S."[1] Then as Amgen's Director of Oncology National Accounts in 1998 and 1999 he "played a significant role in developing key long-term partnerships with the nation's largest oncology practice management groups and physician group purchasing organizations."[1]

From 1999 to 2002, he was Sales Director of Southeast Oncology during which time he helped Amgen build its first dedicated hospital sales team.[1]

By 2006 Amgen's Epogen and Aranesp—Epogen's longer-lasting version also known as Darbepoetin alfa (rINN), a synthetic form of erythropoietin— "combined generated an annual worldwide sales of $6.6 billion.[8]

From August 2002 to February 2004, he was "Senior Director of Sales for Biogen Idec's Immunology Sales Team, where he built a sales organization dedicated to the launch of the first-in-class biologic Alefacept (brand name Amevive) indicated for adults with chronic plaque psoriasis.[1] The manufacturer ceased to produce and market Amevive in 2011 for market reasons.[9]

From April 2004 to June 2006 he was Vice President of Sales at OSI Eyetech. In 2000 EyeTech Pharmaceuticals (now OSI Pharmaceuticals) acquired the license to pegaptanib (brand name Macugen), a first-in-class anti-VEGF, anti-angiogenic therapy for the treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration.[1][10][11] OSI did the late stage development and marketing in the United States for Macugen and Hallal led the U.S. launch of Macugen.[1][11][12]

In 2006 Hallal became Alexion's Vice President U.S. Commercial Operations reporting to then-President and COO David Keiser with the mandate to "direct the expected launch of Soliris in the United States.[13] Hallal was responsible "for all U.S. commercial operations including sales, marketing, reimbursement and corporate account management, and customer relations."[13] In 2014 his total annual compensation was USD$696,058.[2]

Starting in November 2008 Hallal was Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations. Starting in May 2010 he was Senior Vice President of Global Commercial Operations, responsible for all commercial functions in the U.S. market, including marketing, sales, and reimbursement/access. From October 2012 to September 2014 he was Chief Commercial Officer and Executive Vice President.[1] In September 2014 he became a Director.[1] In September 2016 he owned approximately 190 thousand Alexion Pharmaceuticals shares worth almost US$25 million.[14]

On November 9, 2016, Alexion Pharmaceuticals announced that an Audit and Finance Committee was investigating the Company's sales practices related to Soliris. The investigation resulted in the delayed filing of Alexion's third quarter report with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). On December 12, 2016, Hallal, along with Alexion's Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Vikas Sinha, resigned from Alexion citing personal reasons.[15]