Life Sciences, Gaucher disease, Biotech

Genzyme Rival Seeks European Approval

Ryan McBride 11/24/09

Shire (LSE:SHP)—an Ireland-based drug company that has its Human Genetic Therapies unit based in Cambridge, MA—reports that it has asked European regulators to approve its treatment for Gaucher disease, velaglucerase alfa. If approved by the European Medicines Agency, Shire’s enzyme-replacement treatment will compete with Cambridge-based biotech Genzyme’s (NASDAQ:GENZ) market-leading imiglucerase (Cerezyme), which has faced supply shortages. Shire said it is also seeking approval of its Gaucher drug in Canada and the U.S.

Ryan McBride is Xconomy's correspondent. You can reach him at rmcbride@xconomy.com, or follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Ryan_McBride.