Genzyme shifts focus after hylastan fails trial

Genzyme announced that it will focus its commercialization efforts in the arena of osteoarthritis pain on Synvisc-One after its experimental drug hylastan failed to achieve its primary goal in a clinical trial. Hylastan was being studied as a potentially less expensive therapy for OA pain. But researchers found no significant difference in patients' response to either hylastan or steroids. Genzyme has submitted an application to the FDA for Synvisc-One and plans to apply for a CE Mark to introduce Synvisc-One in Europe.

"We structured our development program in a way that provided us with several chances to reach our goal of introducing a single-injection product," said Ann Merrifield, president of Genzyme Biosurgery, which manufactures and markets Synvisc. "It is now clear that we will focus our efforts on bringing Synvisc-One to the market."

- check out the release [1] for more information

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