Genzyme opens first European research centre in Cambridge
pharmafile | September 30, 2005 | News story | Research and Development |Â Â Â
Genzyme, one of the most successful US biotech companies, has opened its first European research centre in Cambridge, UK – part of a major expansion programme across Europe.
The Cambridge research centre is housed among a cluster of around 200 other biotech companies and brings it into close proximity to renowned academic institutions and a pool of highly regarded scientific talent.
Scientists at the centre will initially concentrate on developing new and emerging antibody technologies to identify new therapeutics in the areas of renal, oncology, inflammatory and immune-mediated diseases.
Genzyme aims to expand its workforce capacity at the centre from 25 to 150 within five years and has earmarked collaborative partnerships with academic and biotech partners as central to its long-term growth.
The US biotech company said the research centre will also complement its existing partnership with Cambridge Antibody Technology (CAT), with which it has an 11% share and is co-developing two monoclonal antibody treatments currently undergoing clinical trials.
The Cambridge research centre is just one of four major expansion projects across Europe, with Genzyme injecting over $500 million into infrastructure across the continent.
The facilities include an expansion of Genzyme's Haverhill and Waterford manufacturing centres and a new bio-manufacturing plant in Geel, Belgium.
Its new $8 million Technology and Development Centre in Haverhill will carry out process development to support the clinical trials of next generation products for renal and other patient groups.
These potential new therapies include a next-generation treatment for chronic kidney disease and a diarrhoea treatment.
Vice president and general manager of Haverhill operations Simon Cousins said: "This is an important investment for us at the Haverhill site as the new facility will enable us to more actively participate in Genzyme's new drug product development."
Genzyme has been one of the real success stories of the biotech industry and following its small-scale start-up has developed and diversified into a global company with revenues last year of over $2 billion.
Related features:
Orphans join European pharma family
After 17 years Europe has finally caught up with US orphan drug legislation and the last five years have seen a proliferation of orphan drug activity, says Steve Seget.
