Genzyme ‘to create drug candidates from basic science’

Genzyme is to use basic science to formulate drug candidates for neglected diseases, the company has announced.

Through collaboration with the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, new treatments are to be developed for a variety of illnesses prevalent in Latin America, Genzyme states.

Chief among these is Chagas disease, which can remain silent for decades but causes cardiac and intestinal complications in 30 per cent of cases, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Henri Termeer, chair and chief executive officer of Genzyme, claims: "Our industry possesses the precious capabilities to unlock the promise of the lab."

This is possible, he adds, "by converting basic science into drug candidates and increasing the number of potential treatments flowing into clinical development".

Under the terms of the agreement, the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation receives the right to develop therapeutics created by the companies for commercial purposes but on a royalty-free basis.