Genzyme to focus on Synvisc-One

Genzyme has revealed it is to focus on its Synvisc-One combined treatment for arthritis of the knee.

The single-injection application offers up to six months of pain relief for sufferers of the condition, the company states.

Genzyme adds that the only other single-treatment available in Europe provides relief for periods of six weeks at most.

Plans to focus on Synvisc-One follow ‘disappointing’ results in testing of alternative solution hylastan.

Ann Merrifield, president of Genzyme Biosurgery which markets the Synvisc brand, explains: "We structured our development programme in a way that provided us with several chances to reach our goal of introducing a single-injection product.

"It is now clear that we will focus our efforts on bringing Synvisc-One to the market."

However, she claims that the findings of the hylastan study are to be used in the future as the firm investigates new applications for the treatment.