FILED PURSUANT TO RULE NO. 424(b)(3)
                                            REGISTRATION NO. 333-59702


                                 [ALEXION LOGO]

                         187,114 Shares of Common Stock
                           _________________________

     Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s common stock trades on the Nasdaq National
Market under the ticker symbol "ALXN." On August 6, 2001, the closing sale price
of the common stock was $19.03.

                           _________________________

     The stockholders of Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. listed in this prospectus
are offering and selling an aggregate of 187,114 shares of our common stock
under this prospectus.

                           _________________________

     SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 3 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS
THAT YOU SHOULD CONSIDER BEFORE YOU INVEST IN THE SHARES BEING SOLD WITH THIS
PROSPECTUS.
                           _________________________


     NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS
PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

                           _________________________

                The date of this Prospectus is August 7, 2001.


                               TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                                                           Page
                                                                           ----

Our Company..............................................................     1
Risk Factors.............................................................     4
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements........................     9
Use of Proceeds..........................................................    10
Dividend Policy..........................................................    10
Selling Stockholders.....................................................    11
Plan of Distribution.....................................................    12
Legal Matters............................................................    12
Experts..................................................................    13
Where You Can Find More Information......................................    13

                          _________________________


                                  OUR COMPANY

     This summary provides an overview of selected information and does not
contain all the information you should consider. You should read the entire
prospectus, including the section entitled "Risk Factors," carefully before
making an investment decision.

     We are engaged in the development of therapeutic products for the treatment
of a wide array of severe diseases, including cardiovascular and autoimmune
disorders and cancer.  Our two lead product candidates are antibodies that
address specific diseases that arise when the human immune system attacks the
human body itself and produces undesired inflammation. Antibodies are proteins
that bind specifically to selected targets in the body.  After the antibody
binds to its target, it may activate the body's immune system against the
target, block activities of the target or stimulate activities of the target.
Our two lead product candidates are antibodies that do not naturally occur in
humans, but which have been genetically engineered to avoid being treated as
foreign in humans.  These types of antibodies are known as "humanized"
antibodies.

     Our two lead antibody product candidates are designed to block a component
of the human immune system that causes undesired inflammation, while allowing
beneficial components of the immune system to remain functional.  The specific
component of the human immune system that these two product candidates are
designed to block is called  "complement."

     We are currently testing our two lead humanized antibody product candidates
in humans for safety, dosing and effectiveness.  We call one of the antibodies
we are testing in humans pexelizumab.  We completed a trial of the safety and
effectiveness of pexelizumab in a Phase IIb clinical trial of patients suffering
from acute inflammation caused by the trauma of cardiopulmonary bypass surgery
or CPB.  Preliminary results from this trial show that pexelizumab blocked
complement, reduced inflammation and appeared to be safe and well-tolerated.
Some patients in the trial experienced serious adverse events which included
irregular heartbeat, infection, right heart failure and internal bleeding.  The
most common adverse events were irregular heartbeat, nausea and anemia.  The
primary therapeutic goal of the trial, referred to as the primary endpoint, was
not achieved.  However, results from the highest level dose in the largest of
the trial's two sub-groups, which was comprised of patients undergoing coronary
artery bypass graft surgery, or CABG, along with CPB, showed a reduction in the
occurrence of large heart attacks and death.  This sub-group represented 800 of
the trial's total patient population of 914.

     We are currently evaluating the data from this trial and expect to hold
discussions with the FDA.  If our final analysis is positive, and if the FDA
agrees with that analysis, we expect to initiate a Phase III  trial of the
safety and effectiveness of pexelizumab.  We expect that this trial would focus
on treating patients undergoing CABG along with CPB, and would be conducted with
Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals, our partner in the development and
commercialization of pexelizumab.  If our final analysis, or the FDA's views of
that analysis, do not justify initiation of a Phase III clinical trial, our
progress in developing pexelizumab for the treatment of patients

                                       1


undergoing CABG along with CPB will be delayed and we would need to conduct
another Phase II clinical trial to pursue use of pexelizumab in patients
undergoing CABG along with CPB.

     We are conducting two additional Phase II clinical trials with Procter &
Gamble Pharmaceuticals that test the safety and effectiveness of pexelizumab for
the treatment of acute inflammation in patients during heart attacks.

     We call our second lead humanized antibody product candidate 5G1.1. We
retain all of our proprietary rights to 5G1.1.

     We completed a Phase II clinical trial testing the safety and effectiveness
of 5G1.1 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic autoimmune disease.
Preliminary results show that 5G1.1 appeared to be safe and well tolerated in
patients in this trial.  The most commonly observed adverse events were nausea
and diarrhea.  The primary endpoint, or therapeutic goal, for this trial was met
by the group of patients who received mid-level doses of 5G1.1.  Patients who
received higher or lower doses of 5G1.1 in the clinical trial, did not achieve
the primary endpoint.  We continue to evaluate the data from this trial in
rheumatoid arthritis patients.  We expect to initiate another trial of the
safety and effectiveness of 5G1.1 in rheumatoid arthritis patients at the
earliest possible opportunity.  We will determine the design, patient population
and phase of the next trial following our final evaluation of the data from the
completed trial and discussions with the FDA.  It is not certain at this time
whether the next trial of 5G1.1 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis will be a
Phase III trial or a Phase II trial.  If we undertake another Phase II clinical
trial of 5G1.1 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis rather than a Phase III
clinical trial, our progress in developing 5G1.1 for the treatment of rheumatoid
arthritis will be delayed.

     We are also testing 5G1.1 for the treatment of two kidney diseases,
membranous nephritis and lupus nephritis.  In addition, we are testing 5G.1.1 in
patients suffering from dermatomyositis, a severe inflammatory muscle disorder
and pemphigoid, a severe inflammatory skin disorder.

     We recently completed a Phase I clinical trial to investigate the safety of
5G1.1 in psoriasis patients. 5G1.1 appeared to be safe and well tolerated in
this patient population.  According to a standard measure of disease activity,
5G1.1 treatment did not influence the outcome of psoriasis in this trial.
Following complete evaluation of the data from this trial and consideration of
product development alternatives, we may conduct further trials of 5G1.1 in
patients with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis.

     In addition to our program for developing products that inhibit the
inflammatory effects of complement and our technology programs that focus on
discovering and developing human antibodies, we are developing another type of
anti-inflammatory drug known as apogens. Apogens are designed to block disease-
causing T-cells, another component of the human immune system.  The FDA has
accepted the plan for a Phase I clinical trial of our lead apogen candidate,
MP4, which targets the treatment of patients with multiple sclerosis.  We are
uncertain whether we will conduct this trial or continue to develop MP4.  We may
seek to license our rights to MP4 or to otherwise collaborate in its
development.

     We are also developing methods of blocking the human immune system to
permit the use of cells and tissue from non-human species for the treatment of
diseases in humans. This product development program is initially targeting the
use of genetically altered pig cells to treat  Parkinson's disease and spinal
cord injury.  We refer to our lead product candidate for Parkinson's disease as
"UniGraft-PD" and our lead product candidate for spinal cord injury as
"UniGraft-SCI."  We are continuing to study these products in animals.

     We were incorporated in Delaware in January 1992. Since our inception, we
have devoted substantially all of our resources to drug discovery, research and
product development.  Since mid-1996, we have increasingly focused our resources
and efforts on structuring and conducting trials in humans for our two lead
antibody product candidates.

     In September 2000, we added to our antibody product discovery and
development program through the acquisition of Prolifaron, Inc., now known as
Alexion Antibody Technologies, Inc. or AAT.  AAT's technology allows for the
rapid creation of humanized antibodies.  AAT is initially focusing its efforts
on autoimmune diseases, inflammation and cancer.  AAT has applied for several
patents, none of which has yet been issued.

                                       2


     Our principal executive offices are located at 352 Knotter Drive, Cheshire,
Connecticut 06410, and our telephone number is (203) 272-2596.

                                       3


                                  RISK FACTORS

     You should carefully consider the following risk factors before you decide
to invest in the securities. If any of these risks actually occurs, our
business, financial condition, operating results or cash flows could be harmed.

If we continue to incur operating losses, we may be unable to continue our
operations.

     We have incurred losses since we started our company in January 1992. As of
April 30, 2001, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $116.7 million.
If we continue to incur operating losses and fail to become a profitable
company, we may be unable to continue our operations. Since we began our
business, we have focused on research and development of product candidates. We
have no products that are available for sale and do not know when we will have
products available for sale, if ever.  We expect to continue to operate at a net
loss for at least the next several years as we continue our research and
development efforts, continue to conduct clinical trials and develop
manufacturing, sales, marketing and distribution capabilities. Our future
profitability depends on our receiving regulatory approval of our product
candidates and our ability to successfully manufacture and market approved
drugs. The extent of our future losses and the timing of our profitability, if
we are ever profitable, are highly uncertain.

If we do not obtain regulatory approval for our drug products we will not be
able to sell our drug products.

     We cannot sell or market our drugs without regulatory approval. If we do
not obtain regulatory approval for our products, the value of our company and
our results of operations will be harmed. In the United States, we must obtain
approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, for each drug that
we intend to sell. Obtaining FDA approval is typically a lengthy and expensive
process, and approval is highly uncertain. Foreign governments also regulate
drugs distributed outside the United States, whose approval can also be lengthy,
expensive and highly uncertain. None of our product candidates has received
regulatory approval to be marketed and sold in the United States or any other
country. We do not anticipate receiving regulatory approval of any of our
product candidates, if ever, for at least the next several years.

If our drug trials are delayed or achieve unfavorable results, we will have to
delay or may be unable to obtain regulatory approval for our products.

     We must conduct extensive testing of our product candidates before we can
obtain regulatory approval for our products. We need to conduct both preclinical
animal testing and clinical human trials. These tests and trials may not achieve
favorable results. We would need to reevaluate any drug that did not test
favorably and either alter the study, the drug or the dose and perform
additional or repeat tests, or abandon the drug development project. In those
circumstances, we would not be able to obtain regulatory approval on a timely
basis, if ever.  Even if approval is granted it may entail limitations on the
indicated uses for which the drug may e marketed.

     We have announced the completion of a Phase IIb trial of pexelizumab for
the treatment of myocardial infarction in patients after cardiopulmonary bypass
surgery, including the reduction of the frequency and severity of myocardial
infarctions and frequency of death, and completion of a Phase II trial of 5G1.1
for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.  Completion of these trials does not
guarantee that we will initiate additional trials for our product candidates,
that if the trials are initiated, they will be completed, or that if the trials
are completed, they will be sufficient to proceed with further trials, to apply
for or receive regulatory approvals or to commercialize products.

     There are many reasons why drug testing could be delayed or terminated. For
human trials, patients must be recruited and each product candidate must be
tested for each clinical indication, at various doses and formulations. Also, to
ensure safety and effectiveness, the effect of drugs often must be studied over
a long period of time, especially for the chronic diseases that we are studying.
Unfavorable results or insufficient patient enrollment in our clinical trials
could delay or cause us to abandon a product development program.  Results of
these trials could be inconclusive, necessitating additional or repeat trials.

     Additional factors that can cause delay or termination of our clinical
trials include:

     .    slow patient enrollment;

     .    long treatment time required to demonstrate effectiveness;

     .    lack of sufficient supplies of the product candidate;

                                       4


     .    adverse medical events or side effects in treated patients;

     .    lack of effectiveness of the product candidate being tested; and

     .    lack of sufficient funds.

We may expand our business through new acquisitions that could disrupt our
business and harm our financial condition.

     Our business strategy includes expanding our products and capabilities, and
we may seek acquisitions to expand our business.  Acquisitions involve numerous
risks, including:

     .    substantial cash expenditures;

     .    potentially dilutive issuance of equity securities;

     .    incurrance of debt and contingent liabilities;

     .    difficulties in assimilating the operations of the acquired companies;

     .    diverting our management's attention away from other business
          concerns;

     .    risks of entering markets in which we have limited or no direct
          experience; and

     .    the potential loss of our key employees or key employees of the
          acquired companies.

     We cannot assure you that any acquisition will result in long-term benefits
to us or that our management will be able to manage the acquired businesses
effectively.  We may also incorrectly judge the value or worth of an acquired
company or business.  In addition, our future success would depend in part on
our ability to manage the rapid growth associated with some of these
acquisitions.  We cannot give assurances that we will be able to make the
combination of our business with that of acquired businesses or companies work
or be successful.  Furthermore, the development or expansion of our business or
any acquired business or companies may require a substantial capital investment
by us.  We may not have these necessary funds nor may they be readily available
to us on acceptable terms or at all.  We may also seek to raise funds by selling
shares of our stock, which could dilute your ownership interest in our company.

     On September 22, 2000, we purchased all of the capital stock and other
outstanding securities of Prolifaron, Inc., a privately held biopharmaceutical
company that is developing therapeutic antibodies addressing multiple disease,
including cancer, for approximately 400,000 shares of our outstanding capital
stock.  We cannot give assurances that the integration of our businesses with
the businesses of Prolifaron will be successful or that we will be able to
achieve the synergies we anticipate.

If we fail to obtain the capital necessary to fund our operations, we will be
unable to continue or complete our product development.

     We believe we have sufficient capital to fund our operations and product
development for at least thirty-six months.  We may need to raise additional
capital after that time to complete the development and commercialization of our
product candidates.  Additional financing could take the form of public or
private debt or equity offerings, equity line facilities, bank loans and/or
collaborative research and development arrangements with corporate partners.
The amount of capital we may need depends on many factors, including:

     .    the progress, timing and scope of our research and development
          programs;

     .    the progress, timing and scope of our preclinical studies and clinical
          trials;

     .    the time and cost necessary to obtain regulatory approvals;

     .    the time and cost necessary to further develop manufacturing
          processes, arrange for contract manufacturing or build manufacturing
          facilities and obtain the necessary regulatory approvals for those
          facilities;

     .    the time and cost necessary to develop sales, marketing and
          distribution capabilities;

     .    changes in to applicable governmental regulatory policies; and

                                       5


     .    any new collaborative, licensing and other commercial relationships
          that we may establish.

     We may not get funding when we need it or on favorable terms. If we cannot
raise adequate funds to satisfy our capital requirements, we may have to delay,
scale-back or eliminate our research and development activities or future
operations. We might have to license our technology to others. This could result
in sharing revenues which we might otherwise retain for ourselves.  Any of these
actions may harm our business.

If our collaboration with Procter & Gamble is terminated, we may be unable to
commercialize pexelizumab or 5G1.1-SC in the time expected, if at all, and our
business would be harmed.

     We rely exclusively on Procter & Gamble to provide funding and additional
resources for the development and commercialization of pexelizumab or 5G1.1-SC.
These include funds and resources for:

     .    clinical development and clinical and commercial manufacturing;

     .    obtaining regulatory approvals; and

     .    sales, marketing and distribution efforts worldwide.

     We cannot guarantee that Procter & Gamble will devote the resources
necessary to successfully develop and commercialize pexelizumab. Either party
may terminate our collaboration agreement for specified reasons, including a
material breach.

     Termination of our agreement with Procter & Gamble would cause significant
delays in the development of pexelizumab and result in additional development
costs. We would need to fund the development and commercialization of
pexelizumab on our own or identify a new development partner. We might also have
to repeat testing already completed with Procter & Gamble.

If we are unable to engage and retain third-party collaborators, our research
and development efforts may be delayed.

     We depend upon third-party collaborators to assist us in the development of
our product candidates. If any of our existing collaborators breaches or
terminates its agreement with us or does not perform its development work under
an agreement, we would experience significant delays in the development or
commercialization of our product candidates. We would also experience
significant delays if we could not engage additional collaborators when
required. In either event, we would be required to devote additional funds or
other resources to these activities or to terminate them.  This would divert
funds or other resources from other parts of our business.

     We cannot assure you that:

     .    we will be able to negotiate acceptable collaborative agreements to
          develop or commercialize our products;

     .    any arrangements with third parties will be successful; or

     .    current or potential collaborators will not pursue treatments for
          other diseases or seek other ways of developing treatments for our
          disease targets.

If the trading price of our common stock continues to fluctuate in a wide range,
our stockholders will suffer considerable uncertainty with respect to an
investment in our stock.

     The trading price of our common stock has been volatile and may continue to
be volatile in the future.  Factors such as announcements of fluctuations in our
or our competitors' operating results, changes in our prospects and market
conditions for biotechnology stocks in general could have a significant impact
on the future trading prices of our common stock and the notes.  In particular,
the trading price of the common stock of many biotechnology companies, including
us, has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations, which have at times
been unrelated to the operating performance of such companies whose stocks were
affected.  This is due to several factors, including general market conditions,
the announcement of the results of our clinical trials or product development
and the results of our attempts to obtain FDA approval for our products.  In
particular, since August 1, 1999, the sales price of our common stock has ranged
from a low of $10.00 per share to a high of $119.88 per share.  While we cannot
predict our future performance, if our stock continues to fluctuate in a wide
range, an investment in our stock may result in considerable uncertainty for an
investor.

                                       6


If we cannot protect the confidentiality and proprietary nature of our trade
secrets, our business and competitive position will be harmed.

     Our business requires using sensitive technology, techniques and
proprietary compounds which we protect as trade secrets. However, since we are a
small company, we also rely heavily on collaboration with suppliers, outside
scientists and other drug companies. Collaboration presents a strong risk of
exposing our trade secrets. If our trade secrets were exposed, it would help our
competitors and adversely affect our business prospects.

     In order to protect our drugs and technology more effectively, we need to
obtain patents covering the drugs and technologies we develop. Our drugs are
expensive and time-consuming to test and develop. Without patent protection,
competitors may copy our methods, or the chemical structure or other aspects of
our drug. Even if we obtain patents, the patents may not be broad enough to
protect our drugs from copy-cat products.

If we are found to be infringing on patents owned by others, we may be forced to
obtain a license to continue the sale or development of our drugs and/or pay
damages.

     Parts of our technology, techniques and proprietary compounds and potential
drug candidates may conflict with patents owned by or granted to others. If we
cannot resolve these conflicts, we may be liable for damages, be required to
obtain costly licenses or be stopped from manufacturing, using or selling our
products or conducting other activities. For example, we are aware of broad
patents owned by others relating to the manufacture, use and sale of recombinant
humanized antibodies, recombinant humanized single chain antibodies, recombinant
human antibodies, recombinant human single chain antibodies, and genetically
engineered animals. Many of our products are genetically engineered antibodies,
including recombinant humanized antibodies, recombinant humanized single chain
antibodies, recombinant human antibodies, and recombinant human single chain
antibodies, and other products are tissues from genetically engineered animals.

     We have received notices from the owners of some of these patents claiming
that their patents may be relevant to the development of some of our drug
candidates. In response to some of these notices, we have obtained licenses.
However, with regard to other patents, we have either determined in our judgment
that:

     .    our products do not infringe the patents;

     .    we do not believe the patents are valid; or

     .    we have identified and are testing various modifications which we
          believe should not infringe the patents and which should permit
          commercialization of our product candidates.

     Any patent holders could sue us for damages and seek to prevent us from
manufacturing, selling or developing our drugs. Legal disputes can be costly and
time consuming to defend. If any of these actions are successful, we could be
required to pay damages or to obtain a license to sell or develop our drugs. A
required license may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all.

If the testing or use of our products harms people, we could be subject to
costly and damaging product liability claims.

     The testing, manufacturing, marketing and sale of drugs for use in humans
exposes us to product liability risks. Side effects and other problems from
using our products could give rise to product liability claims against us. We
might have to recall our products, if any, from the marketplace. Some of these
risks are unknown at this time. For example, little is known about the potential
long-term health risks of transplanting pig tissue into humans, a goal of our
UniGraft product development program. Use of C5 Complement Inhibitors, such as
5G1.1 and pexelizumab, is associated with an increased risk for infection with
Neisseria bacteria.  Serious cases of Neisseria infection can result in brain
damage or death.

     In addition, we may be sued by people who participate in our clinical
trials. A number of patients who participate in such trials are already
critically ill when they enter a study. Any informed consents or waivers
obtained from people who sign up for our trials may not protect us from
liability or litigation. Our product liability insurance may not cover all
potential liabilities or may not completely cover any covered liabilities.
Moreover, we may not be able to maintain our insurance on acceptable terms. As a
result of these factors, a product liability claim, even if successfully
defended, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition or results of operations.

                                       7


If we cannot manufacture our drug candidates in sufficient amounts at acceptable
costs and on a timely basis, we may be unable to have the necessary materials
for product testing, and later for potential sale in the market. Either event
would harm our business.

     For our drug trials, we need to produce sufficient amounts of product for
testing. Our small manufacturing plant cannot manufacture enough of our product
candidates for later stage clinical development. In addition, we do not have the
capacity to produce more than one product candidate at a time. We depend on a
few outside suppliers for manufacturing. If we experience interruptions in the
manufacture of our products for testing, our drug development efforts will be
delayed. If any of our outside manufacturers stops manufacturing our products or
reduces the amount manufactured, we will need to find other alternatives. If we
are unable to find an acceptable outside manufacturer on reasonable terms, we
will have to divert our own resources to manufacturing which may not be
sufficient to produce the necessary quantity or quality of product. As a result,
our ability to conduct testing would be materially adversely affected.
Submission of products and new development programs for regulatory approval
would be delayed. Our competitive position and our prospects for achieving
profitability could be materially and adversely affected.

     Manufacture of drug products is highly regulated by the FDA and other
domestic and foreign authorities.  We cannot assure you that we or our third-
party collaborators will successfully comply with all of those regulations,
which would have a materially adverse effect on our business.

     We have no experience or capacity for manufacturing drug products in
volumes that would be necessary to support commercial sales. If we are unable to
establish and maintain commercial scale manufacturing within our planned time
and cost parameters, sales of our products and our financial performance would
be adversely affected.

     Other than our agreement with Procter & Gamble to develop and commercialize
pexelizumab, we have no arrangements to manufacture our products on a commercial
basis.  We have not proceeded far enough in negotiations with any other
potential partner to predict the cost of a commercial manufacturing arrangement
for our other potential products nor have we explored the cost or time required
to establish our own commercial manufacturing facility.

If we are unable to establish sales, marketing and distribution capabilities, or
to enter into agreements with third parties to do so, we will be unable to
successfully market and sell future drug products.

     We have no sales, marketing or distribution personnel or capabilities. If
we are unable to establish those capabilities, either by developing our own
capabilities or entering into agreements with others, we will not be able to
successfully sell our products. In that event, we will not be able to generate
significant revenues. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to hire the
qualified sales and marketing personnel we need. We may not be able to enter
into any marketing or distribution agreements with third-party providers on
acceptable terms, if at all. Currently, we are relying on Procter & Gamble for
sales, marketing and distribution of pexelizumab. Procter & Gamble, or any
future third-party collaborators, may not succeed at selling, marketing or
distributing any of our future drug products.

If we are unable to obtain reimbursement from government health administration
authorities, private health insurers and other organizations for our future
products, our products may be too costly for regular use and our ability to
generate revenues would be harmed.

     Our products, once commercialized, like similar products in the market
place, may be significantly more expensive than traditional drug treatments.
Our future revenues and profitability will be adversely affected if we cannot
depend on governmental and private third-party payors to defray the cost of our
products to the consumer.  If these entities refuse to provide reimbursement
with respect to our products or determine to provide a low level of
reimbursement, our products may be too costly for general use.  Our
profitability may be adversely impacted if we choose to offer our products at a
reduced price. Any limitation on the use of our products or any decrease on the
price of our products without a corresponding decrease in expenses will have a
material adverse effect on our ability to  achieve profitability.

                                       8


Even if we successfully develop our products for transplanting animal cells into
humans, this technology may not be accepted by the market due to medical
concerns or unanticipated regulation.

     Our program for the development of animal cells for transplantation into
humans may never result in any therapeutic products. This technology is subject
to extensive clinical testing and we are not aware of any such technology that
has been approved for sale by the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory
authorities. Even if we succeed in developing these products, our products may
not be widely accepted by the medical community or third-party payors until more
facts are established and ethical consensus is reached regarding the use of
animal cells. In addition, concerns relating to the risk of introducing new
animal viruses to infect the human species through the transplantation process
may also create additional regulatory hurdles for FDA approval. If accepted, the
degree of acceptance may limit the size of the market for our products.
Moreover, due to the controversial nature of transplantation of animal cells
into humans generally, market prices for our securities, may be subject to
increased volatility.

If our competitors get to the marketplace before we do with better or cheaper
drugs, our drugs may not be profitable to sell or to continue to develop.

     Each of Avant Immunotherapeutics, Inc, Leukosite Inc., a subsidiary of
Millenium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tanox, Inc., Abbott Laboratories, Baxter
Healthcare Corporation, Gliatech Inc. and Biocryst Pharmaceuticals have publicly
announced their intentions to develop drugs which target the inflammatory
effects of complement in the immune system. We are also aware that Pfizer, Inc.,
SmithKline Beecham Plc and Merck & Co., Inc. are also attempting to develop
complement inhibitor therapies. Each of Cambridge Antibody Technology, PLC,
MorphoSys AG and Dyax Corporation have publicly announced intentions to develop
therapeutic human antibodies from libraries of human antibody genes.
Additionally, each of Abgenix Inc. and Medarex, Inc. have publicly announced
intentions to develop therapeutic human antibodies from mice that have been bred
to include some human antibody genes. These and other large pharmaceutical
companies with significantly greater resources than ours, may develop,
manufacture and market better or cheaper drugs than our product candidates. They
may establish themselves in the marketplace before we are able to even finish
our clinical trials. Larger pharmaceutical companies also compete with us to
attract academic research institutions as drug development partners, including
for licensing these institutions' proprietary technology. If our competitors
successfully enter into such arrangements with academic institutions, we will be
precluded from pursuing those specific unique opportunities and may not be able
to find equivalent opportunities elsewhere.

If we fail to recruit and retain personnel, our research and product development
programs may be delayed.

     We are highly dependent upon the efforts of our senior management and
scientific personnel, particularly, Leonard Bell, M.D., our president, chief
executive officer and director, David W. Keiser, our executive vice president
and chief operating officer and Stephen P. Squinto, Ph.D, our executive vice
president and head of research.  There is intense competition in the
biotechnology industry for qualified scientific and technical personnel.  Since
our business is very science-oriented and specialized, we need to continue to
attract and retain such people.  We may not be able to continue to attract and
retain the qualified personnel necessary for developing our business.  We have a
key man insurance policy for Dr. Bell and we have employment agreements with
each of Dr. Bell, Mr. Keiser and Dr. Squinto.  To our knowledge, none of our key
personnel is planning to retire or is nearing retirement age.  Further, to our
knowledge, there is no tension between any of our key personnel and the Board.
If we lose the services of our management and scientific personnel or fail to
recruit other scientific and technical personnel, our research, our research and
product development programs would be significantly and detrimentally affected.

     In particular, we highly value the services of Dr. Leonard Bell, our
President and Chief Executive Officer. The loss of his services could materially
and adversely affect our ability to achieve our development objectives.

               SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     This prospectus contains some "forward-looking statements" as defined in
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and information relating to
us that are based on the beliefs of our management, as well as assumptions made
by and the information currently available to our management. When used in this
prospectus, the words "estimate," "project," "believe," "anticipate," "intend,"
"expect" and similar expressions are intended to

                                       9


identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect our current views
with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these
forward-looking statements, including those risks discussed in this prospectus.
You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date of this prospectus.

                                USE OF PROCEEDS

     We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of common stock by the
selling stockholders.

                                DIVIDEND POLICY

     We have never declared or paid any dividends on our stock.  We currently
anticipate that we will retain all future earnings to support our growth
strategy.  Accordingly, we do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our stock
in the foreseeable future.  The payment of any future dividends will be at the
discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon, among other things,
future earnings, operations, capital requirements, our general financial
condition, and general business conditions.

                                       10


                              SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

     The following table sets forth information regarding the selling
stockholders' beneficial ownership of our common stock as of March 26, 2001.




                                                                                               Number of
                                                                                               Shares of
                                               Number of Shares         Number of            Common Stock
                                               of Common Stock          Shares of            Beneficially
                                              Beneficiary owned       Common Stock            Owned After
Selling Stockholder (1)                       Prior to Offering     Registered Herein      this Offering (2)
-----------------------                       -----------------     -----------------      -----------------
                                                                                  
Carlos F. Barbas                                  19,019                  9,509                   9,510
Shana M. Barbas                                   20,316                  9,509                  10,807
Carlos Barbas (TRSI)                                 201                    100                     101
John Bentley                                       5,187                  2,593                   2,594
Ernest Beutler and Bonnie Beutler
TTEE Ernest Beutler and Bonnie M. Beutler
 Trust U/A DTE 12/4/69                             2,500                  1,764                     736

Katherine Bowdish (3)                             46,684                 41,496                   5,188
Dennis R. Burton                                  38,037                 19,018                  19,019
Christopher John Connolly and Rhonda
    Marie Connolly Family Trust                    3,187                  2,593                     594
Chris Cruce                                           70                     35                      35
Glen Dautherty                                    18,393                  9,196                   9,197
Beth Fawsett                                         103                     51                      52
James C. Gilstrap Trust dated 1/16/95             15,561                  7,780                   7,781
Ernie Huang                                        1,296                    648                     648
James E. Iverson and Patricia Iverson             30,689                 14,696                  15,993
Kasirer Yeladim Holdings, LLC                     10,374                  5,187                   5,187
August Kee                                            70                     35                      35
John R. Larson                                    13,832                  6,916                   6,916
Richard Alan Lerner, Nicole Green Lerner,
 Trustees U.D.T. dated 11/14/94                   50,141                 25,070                  25,071

Richard Lerner (TRSI)                                201                    100                     101
Marshall Linn and Joyce Linn                       2,687                  2,593                      94
Lippman Living Trust DTD 8/11/89                  19,748                 10,374                   9,374
Benjamin List (TRSI)                                  57                     28                      29
Paul Mailander                                       282                    141                     141
Thomas McDermott                                      25                     25                       0
Doug Mertz                                           141                     70                      71
Katharine Tate Overton Trust,
Katharine Overton Coady, TTEE                      7,874                  5,187                   2,687
Staats M. Pellett, Jr.                             7,187                  2,593                   4,594
Lavern Punke                                       5,187                  5,187                       0
Christoph Rader (TRSI)                                21                     10                      11
Daniel B. Rifkin                                   1,764                  1,764                       0
Don Sandberg                                         211                    105                     106
Joy Sprink                                            70                     35                      35
Robin M. Thomas                                    5,187                  2,593                   2,594
Juergen Wagner (3)                                    72                     72                       0
Sue Wood                                              70                     35                      35
Guofu Zhong (TRSI)                                    72                     36                      36
                                            ------------           ------------            ------------
                                                 326,516                187,114                 139,372
                                            ============           ============            ============


                                       11


______________________

(1)  The selling stockholders received their shares of common stock in
     connection with our acquisition of Prolifaron, Inc. on September 23, 2000.

(2)  Assumes that all shares offered by each selling stockholder are sold in
     this offering.

(3)  Had not previously registered shares in S-3 Registration statement filed on
     December 28, 2000.

                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     Pursuant to an agreement and plan of merger effective September 23, 2000,
we acquired Prolifaron, Inc., a privately held biopharmaceutical company located
in San Diego, California.  In the merger, we issued 355,594 shares of our common
stock to the former stockholders of Prolifaron and we are obligated to issue up
to 44,364 shares of our common stock upon the exercise of fully vested options
granted under Prolifaron's stock option plan.  We agreed to register the
possible resale of those shares of common stock by the Prolifaron stockholders.
The shares of common stock are being registered to permit the resale of the
common stock by the holders thereof from time to time after the date of this
prospectus.  We have agreed, among other things, to bear all expenses, other
than underwriting discounts, selling commissions and fees and expenses of other
advisors to holders of the common stock, in connection with the registration and
sale of the common stock covered by this prospectus.

     We will not receive any of the proceeds from the offering of the shares of
common stock by the selling securityholders.  We have been advised by the
selling securityholders that the selling securityholders (and their donees and
pledgees) may sell all or a portion of the shares of common stock beneficially
owned by them and offered hereby from time to time on any exchange on which the
securities are listed on terms to be determined at the times of such sales.  The
selling securityholders may also make private sales directly or through a broker
or brokers.  Alternatively, any of the selling securityholders may from time to
time offer the shares of common stock beneficially owned by them through
underwriters, dealers or agents, who may receive compensation in the form of
underwriting discounts, commissions or concessions from the selling
securityholders and the purchasers of the shares of common stock for whom they
may act as agent.  The aggregate proceeds to the selling securityholders from
the shares of common stock offered by them hereby will be the purchase price of
such shares of common stock less discounts and commissions, if any.

     Our outstanding common stock is listed for trading on the Nasdaq National
Market.

     The shares of common stock may be sold from time to time in one or more
transactions at fixed offering prices, which may be changed, or at varying
prices determined at the time of sale or at negotiated prices.  Such prices will
be determined by the holders of such securities or by agreement between such
holders and underwriters or dealers who may receive fees or commissions in
connection therewith.

     In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if
applicable, the shares of common stock will be sold in such jurisdictions only
through registered or licensed brokers or dealers.  In addition, in certain
states the shares of common stock may not be sold unless they have been
registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from
the registration or qualification requirement is available and is complied with.

     The selling securityholders and any broker-dealers, agents or underwriters
that participate with the selling securityholders in the distribution of the
shares of common stock may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of
the Securities Act, in which event any commissions received by such broker-
dealers, agents or underwriters and any profit on the resale of the shares of
common stock purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or
discounts under the Securities Act.

                                 LEGAL MATTERS

     Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. New York, New York will pass upon the validity
of the securities offered hereby and some other legal matters on behalf of
Alexion.

                                       12


                                    EXPERTS

     The audited consolidated financial statements of Alexion Pharmaceuticals,
Inc. and the audited financial statements of Prolifaron, Inc. incorporated by
reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement, to the
extent and for the periods indicated in their reports, have been audited by
Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants and are included herein in
reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in giving said reports.

                      WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other
information with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  You may read and copy
any reports, statements or other information filed by us at the Commission's
public reference room at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549 and the regional offices of the Commission located at
Seven World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York  10048, and 500 West
Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661.  Copies of such material can be also
obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and its public reference rooms in New
York, New York and Chicago, Illinois, at prescribed rates.  Please call the
Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference
rooms.  Copies of such information may also be inspected at the reading room of
the library of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., 1735 K
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006.  Our filings with the Commission are also
available to the public from commercial document retrieval services and at the
Commission's web site at "http://www.sec.gov."

     The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file
with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by
referring you to those documents.  The information incorporated by reference is
considered to be part of this prospectus, and information that we file later
with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information.  We
incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we
will make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 until the selling stockholders sell all their
shares of Alexion stock.

     (i)   our amended current report on Form 8-K/A, filed on November 20, 2000;

     (ii)  our current reports on Form 8-K, filed on September 25, 2000, October
           3, 2000, October 27, 2000, January 23, 2001, January 29, 2001 and
           June 7, 2001;

     (iii) our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended October 31,
           2000, January 31, 2001 and April 30, 2001, filed on December 15,
           2000, March 15, 2001 and June 13, 2001, respectively;

     (iv)  our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31,
           2000, filed on October 6, 2000;

     (v)   our registration statement on Form 8-A, filed on February 21, 1997,
           as amended on October 6, 2000; and

     (vi)  our registration statement on Form 8-A, filed on February 12, 1996.


     We will furnish without charge to you, upon written or oral request, a copy
of any or all of the documents described above, except for exhibits to such
documents, unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into
such documents.  Requests should be addressed to:  Alexion Pharmaceuticals,
Inc., 352 Knotter Drive, Cheshire, Connecticut 06410, (203) 272-2596, Attention:
David W. Keiser, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

     You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or
provided in this prospectus or any supplement.  We have not authorized anyone
else to provide you with different information.  The selling stockholders will
not make an offer of these shares in any state where the offer is not permitted.
You should not assume that information in this prospectus or any supplement is
accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of these documents.

                                       13