Overview of Genzyme – From a Small Start to a Worldwide Presence

Genzyme is one of the world’s leading biotechnology companies. It has more than 9,000 employees who work in countries throughout the world and united by a common goal: to make a major positive impact on the lives of people with debilitating diseases.

Since its founding in 1981, Genzyme has grown from a small start-up to a diversified enterprise with 2006 revenues of US$3.2 billion. Over the past two decades Genzyme has introduced a number of breakthrough treatments in several areas of medicine, which have provided 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. Genzyme’s products are available in nearly 90 countries and the company has more than 70 locations in over 30 countries, including 15 manufacturing facilities and nine genetic testing laboratories. Genzyme, which has its headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was listed by the Financial Times as one of the ‘100 Best Workplaces in the EU’ in 2006.

Commitment to Europe

Genzyme’s commitment to Europe can be traced back almost to the founding of the company, when the purchase of two UK-based speciality pharmaceutical firms in 1981 and 1982 marked the first steps on its path to becoming an integrated biopharmaceutical company. Since then, Genzyme has established a leading position within the European biopharmaceutical industry by providing a combination of innovative products and tailor-made support services through an integrated European organisation employing more than 2,300 people. Genzyme’s European headquarters are located in Naarden, outside of Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

Genzyme’s activities in Europe encompass the full spectrum of biopharmaceutical development, from early stage research to clinical testing, regulatory affairs, manufacturing and sales. The company is providing treatments for genetic disorders, kidney disease and other chronic conditions; conducting substantial clinical research at leading medical centres; investing in new and expanded facilities; and working to help shape legislation and policy that promotes the development of, and access to, the best medicines and medical services for patients.