Our Research

Genzyme Biosurgery is building on its industry-leading programs in biomaterials and cell therapy to further extend its current products and to develop new biotechnological approaches to treating serious disease.

Biomaterials

Genzyme's leadership in surgical biomaterials traces its roots back almost to the company's founding. Since 1984, Genzyme has been a leader in the high-quality production of sodium hyaluronate, or HA, a naturally occurring biopolymer that is used in many medical indications. Over the years, Genzyme has pioneered the development and commercialization of HA-based medical products.

Genzyme Biosurgery now brings a suite of HA-based products to the market, including Synvisc^® (hylan G-F 20), for pain due to osteoarthritis of the knee, and the Sepra^™ family of products, for improving the outcome of surgery by reducing the incidence of adhesions.

Genzyme Biosurgery product development efforts are focused on developing new applications and next-generation versions of Synvisc. Genzyme Biosurgery is also developing a product with marketing and development partner Inamed Corporation for potential use as a HA-based dermal filler for the cosmetic surgery market.

Cell Therapies

Genzyme Biosurgery pioneered the field of cell therapy, bringing the first two cell therapies to market and developing extensive manufacturing facilities and logistics experience. Epicel^® (cultured epidermal autografts), an autologous cell therapy, is the only permanent skin replacement for some 100 severe burn victims each year. Carticel^® (autologous cultured chondrocytes) uses similar technology to regrow a patient's own cartilage cells to replace damaged cartilage in the knee.