CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Genzyme Corporation announced today that scientists have again named the company a top employer in a survey ranking the reputations of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. Genzyme was ranked fifth out of nearly 500 companies. Over the past five years Genzyme has consistently placed among the top 10 of all biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. Genzyme was the highest ranked company headquartered in New England.
The survey, which was commissioned by Science magazine and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), identifies the top 20 companies with the best reputations as employers. More than 3,000 Science readers and other industry representatives participated in the survey. Genzyme received its highest ranking in the category of doing important, quality research, followed by being judged an innovative leader in the industry and a socially responsible company.
"To be recognized as a top life sciences employer for five consecutive years is a consistent reflection on our scientists and the innovative work that they do in the laboratories every day," said Richard Gregory, senior vice president and head of research at Genzyme. "Genzyme's recognition for doing important quality research underscores our commitment to making a major positive impact on the lives of people with serious diseases."
About the Survey
Science and AAAS commissioned a web-based survey to determine the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical companies with the best reputations as employers. This web-based study was administered from May 2 to June 6, 2007. For this year's survey, a mixed methodology was used. The first part of this methodology included e-mailed invitations to AAAS members, ScienceCareers.org registrants, and Science website visitors registered with AAAS. The second part of the methodology included an e-mail blast to more than 950 human resource contacts from the ScienceCareers.org database.
Survey respondents were asked to write in the names of companies they considered best, average and worst employers. They then rated these companies on 23 different attributes. Attribute categories included Corporate Image, Leadership and Direction, Financial Prowess, Work Culture/Environment, Work/Life Balance, Academics and Collegial Exchange, and Compensation and Benefits. Nearly one-third (29%) of participants came from outside the United States - primarily Western Europe.
"We are honored to be ranked as one of the top five companies in the world for scientists," said Zoltan Csimma, Genzyme's chief human resources officer. "Genzyme values its scientists for their contributions to finding innovative solutions for today's toughest medical challenges. We are committed to attracting and retaining talented people in all areas of the company."
Scientists working at Genzyme are developing new and next-generation therapies in several areas of medicine using a wide range of technologies. The company is bringing new treatments to patients with genetic diseases, kidney disease, cancer, osteoarthritis, and transplant and immune diseases. The company is also a leader in the development of diagnostic and genetic tests.
The survey results will appear in a special business supplement of the 12 October 2007 issue of Science. To read the full survey, please visit: http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_development/previous_issues/articl es/2007_10_12/science_opms_r0700045 (Due to length of URL, please copy and paste into your browser).
For information about other recognition Genzyme has received, please visit: http://www.genzyme.com/corp/structure/awards_genz.asp
For information about careers at Genzyme, please visit: http://www.genzyme.com/careers
About Genzyme
One of the world's leading biotechnology companies, Genzyme is dedicated to making a major positive impact on the lives of people with serious diseases. Since 1981, the company has grown from a small start-up to a diversified enterprise with more than 9,500 employees in locations spanning the globe and 2006 revenues of $3.2 billion. In 2007, Genzyme was chosen to receive the National Medal of Technology, the highest honor awarded by the President of the United States for technological innovation. In 2006 and 2007, Genzyme was selected by FORTUNE as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work for" in the United States.
With many established products and services helping patients in nearly 90 countries, Genzyme is a leader in the effort to develop and apply the most advanced technologies in the life sciences. The company's products and services are focused on rare inherited disorders, kidney disease, orthopaedics, cancer, transplant, and diagnostic testing. Genzyme's commitment to innovation continues today with a substantial development program focused on these fields, as well as immune disease, infectious disease, and other areas of unmet medical need.
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Genzyme's press releases and other company information are available at http://www.genzyme.com and by calling Genzyme's investor information line at 1-800-905-4369 within the United States, or 1-678-999-4572 outside the United States.
CONTACT: Investors, Catherine Forte, +1-617-768-6881, or Media, Sarah
Millerick, +1-617-768-6438, both of Genzyme Corporation
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