Good Things Happening at Genzyme

Sanofi-Aventis Prioritizes Enzyme Replacement Therapy and
Genzyme to be Honored by NORD

Sanofi-Aventis CEO Chris Viehbacher recently outlined the research and development strategy that led to the purchase of Genzyme Corp., and which will lead the company to further expand its partnerships and acquisitions.

Good news for Niemann-Pick Disease Type B patients -- Viehbacher announced that three Genzyme programs would be priorities in particular, one being Genzyme's enzyme replacement therapy for NPB.

Genzyme is also in the news being honored by the National Organization for Rare Diseases (NORD), the nonprofit organization representing 30 million Americans with rare diseases, at NORD's annual Partners in Progress Celebration on May 17. Genzyme will receive the first-ever Power of Partnership Award.

Genzyme's Boston Marathon Team paired up with an NNPDF Type B family, and the runners dedicated their race in honor of their partners, wearing their partners' photos on their shirts. The Power of Partnership Award will now be presented annually to individuals, organizations, or companies for outstanding acts of volunteerism demonstrating partnership with the rare disease patient community.

Visit the NNPDF NewsLine page for more information and links.

Congratulations, and Thank You to Genzyme!

Sale of Genzyme to Sanofi-Aventis

Update from Jamie Manganello, Director, Patient Advocacy, at Genzyme:


Genzyme and sanofi-aventis have entered into an agreement under which sanofi-aventis will acquire Genzyme. Sanofi-aventis is a global, diversified healthcare company, headquartered in Paris, France and a leader in diabetes, oncology, innovative medicines, vaccines, consumer health care products and animal health. With this transaction, Genzyme will move into a new phase of our development, continuing our patient-focused mission and developing treatments that change the lives of people with rare diseases.

Sanofi-aventis and Genzyme have a shared vision for our future together and believe we will emerge even better prepared to serve you. The plan is for Genzyme to become a division of sanofi-aventis and global center of excellence for rare diseases. We will continue to serve the rare genetic disease community as we have done for the past 30 years, and I believe that sanofi-aventis will bring important new perspectives and new resources to this work.

Until the transaction closes, which is expected early in the second quarter of this year, both companies remain independent. Every aspect of how we work and our commitment to you remain the same.

In partnership with you, Genzyme’s mission has always begun and ended with the patient. Sanofi-aventis is making a significant investment in Genzyme because they value what we do, and our mission will remain unchanged.

As we work through the details, we will share our progress with you. Our future is dependent upon the support and involvement of patients and the treatment community, and we are eager to hear your thoughts and feedback as well.

Thank you for your continued support of Genzyme, and we look forward to updating you soon on our progress and path forward.

Visit the NNPDF's NewsLine page for a link to the press release from Sanofi-Aventis and Genzyme.