Genzyme Resumes Shipments of Gauchers Drug from Allston Plant
Summary
Shortages of the drugs have caused Genzyme to lower sales forecasts and warn doctors to conserve current supplies to minimize interruptions in patients’ treatment regimens.In the Gaucher’s market, the shortages have provided an opening to Genzyme’s competitors such as Irish drug firm Shire and Israel-based Protalix Biotherapeutics to garner expedited processes to win potential approval for their rival treatments.Meantime, Genzyme continues to get hit with other setbacks, including the company’s decision to scrap development of its next-generation drug for kidney disease last month after it failed to beat its existing treatment in a clinical trial.Genzyme didn’t say anything today about how resuming part of Allston’s production will affect its sales, but it tried to put a positive spin on the matter.“Shipping the first new product manufactured in Allston is a critical milestone in our effort to again fully meet the needs of patients with Gaucher and Fabry disease around the world,” said Henri Termeer, Genzyme’s chairman and CEO, in a statement.