Alexion Showcases Its Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (DI&B) Impact in Inaugural Report
Alexion, a global biopharmaceutical company focused on serving patients and families affected by rare diseases and devastating conditions through the discovery, development and commercialization of life-changing medicines, strives to shine a light on what rare means for patients and their families. Exploring what is unique and rare is a concept woven deep into its organizational fabric, including valuing the uniqueness and diversity of its employees.
In 2020, Alexion appointed Uzair Qadeer as its first Chief Diversity Officer, reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer to build a Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (DI&B) function.
“At Alexion, we embrace our role in unleashing an organization and fostering a world that’s ripe with purpose, possibilities and passion for inclusion,” said Alexion Chief Diversity Officer, Uzair Qadeer.
Alexion actively engaged over 25% of its global workforce to advance its DI&B agenda and strengthen its relentless commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive organization where every great idea can be heard and where everybody feels they belong.
At Alexion, DI&B is not only a passion but also viewed as a competitive advantage. Prioritizing DI&B creates a liberating environment for its employees and helps to harness their unique insights to spur innovation for the patients it serves. Alexion’s inaugural DI&B Impact Report chronicles the progress Alexion has made to advance its core DI&B strategic pillars:
- Build a diverse and inclusive organization of the future
- Advance a culture of diversity, inclusion and belonging
- Ensure a compelling brand reputation
The DI&B report underscores Alexion’s commitment to all its external and internal stakeholders — patients, caregivers and their families; its valued employees and future talent; its neighbors around the world; investors; patient organizations; suppliers; regulators and others— and celebrates its successes while also recognizing all of the work still to be done.
The report defines five measurable aspirations that Alexion believes are necessary to achieve and sustain differentiated success as a rare disease business. Alexion strives for real, meaningful progress by:
- Increasing female representation globally at Director level and above from 45% to 50% by 2025
- Increasing representation of minority employees in the U.S. from 29% to 36% by 2025
- Increasing representation of LGBTQ+ employees in the U.S. from 2% to 5% by 2025
- Reaching 100% of phase 2-3 clinical studies committed to tracking diversity by 2023
- Increasing diverse supplier spend from 10.5% to 14% by 2023
Alexion is leveraging the power of DI&B internally to create meaningful impact beyond the four walls of the company to the communities in which it operates, and to be part of the solution for a more equitable future globally. This report can serve as a playbook for others who feel inspired to join Alexion on its Belonging Revolution.
To learn more about the journey to foster a sense of belonging at Alexion read its Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Impact Report and visit Alexion’s DI&B website.
Media Contact
Lisa Taylor, 857-338-9025
Senior Director, Corporate Communications
