Geoff McDonough, who has demonstrated strong leadership of the company's Personalized Genetic Health business during a challenging period, has been appointed to the newly created role of regional president of the company's organization in Europe, Genzyme's largest commercial market. John Butler, who led the growth of Genzyme's Renal business in a highly competitive market, and also had responsibility for the Endocrinology and Cardiovascular businesses, will become president of Personalized Genetic Health. This business now includes the company's Cardiovascular products and programs. Rogerio Vivaldi, an endocrinologist by training who built Genzyme's rapidly growing business in Latin America, including a strong Renal franchise, will become president of the Renal and Endocrinology businesses. Alison Lawton, who has demonstrated leadership across a broad range of functions at Genzyme, including building the company's global regulatory organization, will become general manager of the Biosurgery business.

The operating team led by Dr. Meeker will oversee products in early-stage launch that are key near-term growth drivers for the company, including:

Myozyme?® (alglucosidase alfa), a first-in-class treatment for Pompe disease. The therapy is approved in 40 countries globally, and a U.S. PDUFA date for Lumizyme?„? (alglucosidase alfa) is set for June 17. Synvisc-One?® (hylan G-F 20), which is gaining rapid acceptance by patients and physicians because of its convenience: it is the only single-injection viscosupplement for osteoarthritic knee pain approved in the United States. Mozobil?® (plerixafor injection), which is used to prepare certain cancer patients for stem cell transplantation, and offers significant benefits for patients, providers, and payers.

This team will also oversee the development programs for three products that are expected to be launched by the end of 2013, and serve as significant growth drivers for the company:

Alemtuzumab in multiple sclerosis, which has the potential to fundamentally change the standard-of-care for this disease. Genzyme recently announced positive four-year follow-up data from the phase 2 study. Two phase 3 studies are fully enrolled and data are expected next year. Mipomersen, a novel treatment for patients with uncontrolled LDL-cholesterol who are on maximally tolerated lipid lowering therapy. The first two phase 3 studies met their primary endpoints, and additional phase 3 data are expected this year. Eliglustat tartrate, which has the potential to transform the treatment experience for Gaucher disease patients by providing a daily oral capsule option instead of bi-weekly infusions lasting several hours or more. Enrollment is underway in two global, multi-center, phase 3 trials of the treatment.

Over the past year, Genzyme has made a number of changes to transform the company's manufacturing operations and strengthen its board of directors. In its manufacturing organization, the company has implemented plans to reduce risk, increase capacity and bring in outside experts, including two experienced senior leaders for its manufacturing and quality operations.

At the board level, the company recently added two new directors who bring significant industry and financial expertise; launched a search for an additional board member with manufacturing expertise; strengthened the role of its lead independent director; and created new board committees to oversee capital allocation and risk management.

SOURCE Genzyme Corp.