Content about Genzyme

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — It appears that French drug maker Sanofi-Aventis’ efforts to acquire U.S. biotech company Genzyme are getting somewhere, according to company and media reports.

HAYWARD, Calif. A generic drug maker confirmed a patent challenge for its version of a branded cholesterol drug that recently was submitted to the Food and Drug Administration for approval.

Impax said Daiichi Sankyo and Genzyme are seeking to block Impax's generic version of Welchol (colesevelam HCl) for oral suspension, in 3.75 g/packet and 1.875 g/packet strengths. The two drug makers filed suit for patent infringement against Impax in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware after being notified that the FDA accepted Impax's ANDA for the drug.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. The board of directors of Genzyme again has rejected a buyout offer by French drug maker Sanofi-Aventis, Genzyme said Thursday.

The biotech company’s board unanimously turned down the hostile offer Sanofi made Monday to acquire Genzyme for $18.5 billion, or $69 per share, saying it was “opportunistic” and undervalued the company.

NEW YORK French drug maker Sanofi-Aventis has launched a hostile takeover bid to take over Cambridge, Mass.-based biotech company Genzyme, according to published reports.

The Associated Press reported Monday that Sanofi would try to acquire the company for $18.5 billion, or $69 per share. Genzyme previously had rejected Sanofi’s friendly offer for the same amount.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. After Sanofi-Aventis sent Genzyme a second proposal letter to acquire the drug maker on Monday, Genzyme said "the identical offer ... fails to establish a basis for engagement by the Genzyme board."

Sanofi-Aventis offered to acquire Genzyme for $69 per share in cash on two occasions. Prior to Monday's duplicate offer, the first offer was sent to Genzyme on July 29. The drug maker rejected the offer two weeks later.

NEW YORK Biotech drug maker Genzyme’s takeover by French drug maker Sanofi-Aventis may have run into trouble, according to published reports.

Bloomberg reported Wednesday that Sanofi was unwilling to raise its offer of $70 per share for Genzyme, a Cambridge, Mass.-based company that has carved a niche for itself by manufacturing treatments for such rare genetic disorders as Fabry disease and Pompe disease but lately has been dogged by manufacturing problems.

MORRISTOWN, N.J. Generic drug maker Watson Pharmaceuticals hopes to be the first to market a version of a kidney disease treatment made by Genzyme, Watson said Monday.

Watson said it filed a regulatory approval application with the Food and Drug Administration for sevelamer carbonate for oral suspension. The drug is a generic version of Genzyme’s Renvela, used to control serum phosphorus in patients with chronic kidney disease who are on dialysis.