Genzyme to Establish Research Facility in Europe
Cambridge, England Chosen for New Discovery Science Center
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Genzyme Corporation (Nasdaq: GENZ - News) announced today that it will open a research facility in Cambridge, England, one of the world's premier centers for biotechnology. The new facility will bring Genzyme into proximity with renowned academic institutions, a cluster of nearly 200 biotechnology companies, and a large pool of world-class scientific talent.
The facility is scheduled to open early in 2004 and to focus initially on antibody technology and its applications in oncology, renal disease and immune-mediated diseases. Genzyme's research activities in Cambridge will be led by Bruce Roberts, Ph.D., General Manager, Genzyme Science - Europe.
"Establishing a presence within such an important biotechnology center will complement and enhance our overall research program," said Alan E. Smith, Ph.D., Genzyme's chief scientific officer. "We expect to form relationships with people, companies and institutions pursuing innovative ideas and technologies in the U.K. and throughout Europe and to establish a greater European dimension to our science."
"Europe has an excellent research base and a fast maturing biotechnology industry with great potential," said Carlo Incerti, M.D., Genzyme's head of research and development for Europe. "We want to participate actively in this, and to do so we feel it is essential to create a center for Genzyme science within Europe."
Genzyme currently employs more than 1,500 people in research and development, primarily at locations within the biotechnology cluster surrounding Boston. Scientists working for the company are developing new and next-generation therapies for major unmet medical needs using multiple technologies, including recombinant proteins, bio-therapeutic polymers, biopolymers, small molecules, gene therapy, and cell-based therapy. In a recent survey commissioned by the journal Science and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Genzyme was ranked among the top ten most highly regarded employers for scientists in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.
Genzyme's capabilities in antibody technology are comprehensive and growing. These include a marketed product-Thymoglobulin® (anti-thymocite globulin) -- and two recombinant anti-TGF beta antibodies -- one in clinical trials for scleroderma and one about to enter trials for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis -- both being developed in collaboration with Cambridge Antibody Technology. Genzyme also is engaged in earlier-stage antibody research with Kirin Brewery Co. Ltd., Macrogenics Inc. and Therapeutic Human Polyclonals Inc. In addition, Genzyme operates a polyclonal antibody manufacturing site in France and is constructing a recombinant antibody manufacturing facility in Belgium.
Genzyme has established a major presence in Europe, with more than 1,200 employees working in biomedical and regulatory affairs, manufacturing, marketing and sales. For more than twenty years, the company has invested significantly in building its U.K. operations, which today include manufacturing facilities in Haverhill close to Cambridge; commercial offices in Oxford for its therapeutics, transplant and biosurgery businesses; and commercial, research and manufacturing facilities for its diagnostics business at two locations in Kent... |
