Replies to post #89495 on Biotech Values

[genisi]

Re: Novazyme/Pompe enzyme

Myozyme was NOT the Enzyme from Canfields labs/Novazyme. Your article talks about Genzyme having 4 (I thought it was 3 but my memory isn't that great smile).

The book was correct. Here's GENZ official story: (from http://www.genzyme.com/components/highlights/myozyme_development.pdf)

Genzyme tested 4 compounds: a transgenic enzyme developed with Pharming; a CHO-based enzyme developed by Synpac; NZ-1001, an enzyme developed by Novazyme; and another CHO-based enzyme produced internally using existing Genzyme cell lines. In 2002, after comparing all four, the analysis showed that Genzyme’s CHO product offered the most promise from a clinical and manufacturing perspective. The company also discovered that making sufficient quantities of enzyme with the transgenic process or the Synpac cell line would be problematic. The company also decided to continue the development of NZ-1001 as a potential next-generation therapy for Pompe disease.

Novazyme's compound was a dud, Canfield was honest enough to admit* results were an artifact. But like yourself, I doubt it will be presented as a failure in the movie...

*Canfield answers a question in an IPA Conference back in Nov 2003: