Genzyme Corporation
500 Kendall Street
Cambridge
Massachusetts
02142
U.S.A.
Phone:
617-252-7500
Fax:
617-252-7600
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Genzyme is one of the world’s leading biotechnology companies. Its more than 8,000 employees work in 30 countries and are united by a common goal: to make a major positive impact on the lives of people with debilitating diseases.
Since 1981, when it was founded as a small start-up in Boston, Genzyme has evolved into a diversified global business with annual revenues exceeding $2 billion. Over the past two decades, Genzyme has introduced a number of breakthrough treatments in several areas of medicine. These therapies provide hope to patients who previously had no viable treatment options.
Today, Genzyme continues to be driven by its commitment to patients. The company is working to develop new medicines, improve its existing therapies, secure approvals for its products around the world, and ensure that patients have access to these treatments. More than 25 marketed Genzyme products are helping people in 80 countries. The company’s headquarters are in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in the United States.
Genzyme’s diversified businesses focus on six broad areas of medicine:
Lysosomal Storage Disorders:
These inherited diseases, which typically affect fewer than 10,000 people worldwide, are caused by enzyme deficiencies. Genzyme markets three enzyme replacement products and is developing a fourth to treat these diseases, which can be life-threatening.
Cerezyme® (imiglucerase for injection) – for Type 1 Gaucher disease.
Fabrazyme® (agalsidase beta) – for Fabry disease.
Aldurazyme® (laronidase) – for Mucopolysaccharidosis I.
Myozyme® (alglucosidase alfa) – in development for Pompe disease.
Renal Disease:
Renagel® (sevelamer hydrochloride) is Genzyme’s metal-free, calcium-free phosphate binder that reduces phosphorous levels in patients with end-stage renal disease who are on hemodialysis.
Hectorol® (doxercalciferol) is a unique pro-hormone vitamin D2 analog formulation indicated for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with chronic kidney disease stages 3, 4 and 5.
Orthopaedics:
Synvisc® (hylan G-F 20) is one of the world’s top therapies to treat the pain of osteoarthritis of the knee.
Carticel® (autologous cultured chondrocytes) helps repair damaged knee cartilage in patients with injuries caused by acute or repetitive trauma.
Transplant and Immune Diseases:
Thymoglobulin® (anti-thymocyte globulin, rabbit) treats acute rejection in kidney transplant patients by suppressing the body’s natural immune response. It is also being studied for liver transplant and bone marrow transplant.
Genzyme has several products in development for immune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and pulmonary fibrosis.
Oncology:
Genzyme is building a sustainable oncology business. It currently has three marketed products and others are in development.
CAMPATH® (alemtuzumab for injection), is indicated for the treatment of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia. It is also being studied for other indications, including non-Hodgkins lymphoma and multiple sclerosis.
CLOLAR™ (clofarabine), is approved for the treatment of children with refractory or relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It is also being studied for other indications, including adult leukemia and solid tumor cancers.
Thyrogen® (thyrotropin alfa for injection), is used in thyroid cancer follow-up because it allows patients to be screened without having to suspend thyroid hormone therapy. Genzyme is also seeking approval for Thyrogen’s use in the ablation of remnant thyroid tissue, a procedure that patients commonly undergo when being treated for thyroid cancer.
Genetics / Diagnostics:
Genzyme is one of the largest providers of genetic testing services in the world, with expertise in prenatal, postnatal and oncological testing. Genzyme is also a major supplier of diagnostic products, with a focus on infectious diseases, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Genzyme’s research and development efforts are focused primarily on genetic diseases, immune system disorders, cardiovascular disease, and oncology. In 2004, the company invested approximately $378 million in this work, or about 17 percent of its revenues.
Genzyme seeks out areas of unmet medical need and its large team of scientists and researchers uses a broad range of scientific approaches and technologies to meet those needs. The company is a leader in novel areas such as cell and gene therapies and biomaterials. Genzyme also partners with other companies to develop new products and supports research conducted by top academic and independent medical science centers.
Corporate citizenship is a priority at Genzyme. The company’s commitment to patients extends beyond the development of new treatments and the services needed to deliver them. Genzyme has a strong presence in developing countries, where it provides free medicine to patients and helps to build sustainable health care systems. Genzyme’s headquarters is one of the most environmentally responsible office buildings in the United States, and the company is a leader in waste-reduction and recycling efforts at its sites around the world.
At a grassroots level, Genzyme supports science education and health initiatives in the communities in which it operates. For these and other efforts, Genzyme was added to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index, which consists of companies that excel in economic, environmental and social performance. Genzyme has also been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and many other organizations.
Email:
AskGenzyme@genzyme.com
Ownership:
Web Site:
Genzyme Corporation
Employees:
Symbol: GENZ
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