Genzyme opens

Global biotechnology company Genzyme Corporation has opened a new £55m (€88m) manufacturing plant in Haverhill in the UK. This is one of three major projects currently underway in Europe, with expansion also taking place at Genzyme's manufacturing sites at Geel in Belgium and Waterford in Ireland.

The Haverhill facility includes two large scale plants for the manufacture of sevelamer hydrochloride, the active pharmaceutical ingredient in Renagel, Genzyme's metal-free phosphate binding drug for the treatment of patients with end-stage kidney disease who are on dialysis. Renagel is Genzyme's second most important product in revenue terms and its fastest growing product, with mature sales expected to exceed €1bn worldwide within the next 10 years; sales in 2002 are projected to reach €203m ($198m).

The new production facilities will enable output to be increased tenfold - production has grown from 34 tonnes in 2000 to 58 tonnes in 2001. Unlike most other phosphate binders on the market, Renagel contains no calcium, reducing the risk of patients being exposed to problems caused by excess calcium load. A study currently underway involving 2,000 patients is expected to show reduced mortality and morbidity, said Genzyme Corporation chairman and ceo Henri Termeer.

The first of the two new large-scale plants has completed the qualification of its manufacturing process and regulatory approval is expected early next year. The expanded Haverhill site also includes a polymer development centre, which will open in the autumn, extensive QC laboratories, packing and labelling facilities and warehousing. The number of staff is expected to increase to about 200.