Genzyme Corp shuts key facility to clean plant contamination

17 June 2009

Genzyme Corp said it has shut down a key production facility, its Allston Landing plant, to clean viral contamination responsible for slowing down the process for making supplies of two biotech-based drugs.

The biotech company said the virus is not harmful to people but it was shutting down the facility as a precautionary measure. The company will properly clean all its equipment before re-starting the facility in July.

Supplies of bio-tech based drugs Cerezyme and Fabrazyme will be affected because of the shutdown.

Fabrazyme is used to treat an inherited disorder known as Fabry disease, while Cerezyme is used in the treatment of Gaucher disease, an enzyme disorder that can lead to liver and neurological problems.

Genzyme said it has confirmed that the virus had previously caused declines in cell productivity at the facility and at its plant in Geel, Belgium. The company said it will initiate adding steps to intensify raw material screening and viral removal processes. Meanwhile, according to reports the inventories of the drugs are not sufficient to meet global demand.

"The patients who need these therapies are our priority," chairman and CEO Henri A Termeer said in a statement. "We are confident in the quality of the products produced in Allston and in our ability to resolve the issue affecting the plant."