Genzyme Announces License Agreement with Moffitt Cancer Center for Exclusive Rights...

Genzyme Announces License Agreement with Moffitt Cancer Center for Exclusive
Rights to Lung Cancer Diagnostic
Will Add to Genzyme's Personalized Medicine Testing Portfolio

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Genzyme Corp.
(Nasdaq: GENZ) announced today that it has entered into a license agreement
with Moffitt Cancer Center to obtain exclusive worldwide diagnostic testing
rights to the discovery of the relationship of two proteins to patient
response to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment. The expression
level of these proteins may help predict how these patients will respond to
therapy. Genzyme Genetics' relationship with Moffitt broadens its lung cancer
testing portfolio.
The expression levels of the two proteins, RRM1 and ERCC1, have been shown
by Dr. Gerold Bepler, M.D., and his team from Moffitt, to correlate with
patient response to platinum drugs and gemcitabine, both of which are commonly
used in treating NSCLC. Through this license, Genzyme plans to develop and
market a diagnostic test that can be used to measure the expression levels of
these proteins in NSCLC patients. This test may be used to guide first-line
treatment for these patients, which in turn may improve patient outcomes while
avoiding unnecessary side effects from ineffective treatment.
"In 2007, an estimated 30 percent of all cancer deaths will have been from
lung cancer," said Dr. Bruce Horten, M.D., national medical director for
Genzyme Genetics. "Our agreement with the renowned Moffitt Cancer Center will
enable Genzyme to develop and market a diagnostic test designed to assist
physicians in identifying the appropriate first-line therapy for their NSCLC
patients -- a key decision point in the management of patients for whom
getting the right drug as quickly as possible is critical. A personalized
medicine approach to treatment such as this has the potential to help patients
lead longer, healthier lives."
"Lung cancer is responsible for more cancer deaths in women than breast
cancer and more deaths in men than prostate cancer," said Bepler, program
leader of Moffitt's thoracic oncology program. "We hope this test will advance
our fight against this disease and improve treatment options for patients."
Under the license agreement, Genzyme has agreed to pay Moffitt when
various milestones are reached and provide Moffitt with running royalties on
the sales of licensed services and products.
About Moffitt Cancer Center
Located in Tampa, Florida, Moffitt Cancer Center (www.moffitt.org) is the
only Florida-based cancer center with the NCI designation as a Comprehensive
Cancer Center for its excellence in research and contributions to clinical
trials, prevention and cancer control. Moffitt currently has 15 affiliates in
Florida, one in Georgia and two in Puerto Rico. Additionally, Moffitt is a
member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, a prestigious alliance of
the country's leading cancer centers, and is listed in U.S. News & World
Report as one of "America's Best Hospitals" for cancer and ear, nose and
throat. Moffitt's sole mission is to contribute to the prevention and cure of
cancer.
About Genzyme Genetics
Genzyme Genetics is a leading, nationwide provider of high quality genetic
testing and genetic counseling services for physicians and their patients.
With laboratories and counseling facilities located across the U.S., Genzyme
Genetics offers extensive reproductive and cancer testing services, supported
by innovative technology and a commitment to quality service and trusted
information. Genzyme Genetics is a business unit of Genzyme Corporation.
About Genzyme
One of the world's leading biotechnology companies, Genzyme is dedicated
to making a major positive impact on the lives of people with serious
diseases. Since 1981, the company has grown from a small start-up to a
diversified enterprise with more than 9,500 employees in locations spanning
the globe and 2006 revenues of $3.2 billion. In 2007, Genzyme was chosen to
receive the National Medal of Technology, the highest honor awarded by the
President of the United States for technological innovation. In 2006 and
2007, Genzyme was selected by FORTUNE as one of the "100 Best Companies to
Work for" in the United States.
With many established products and services helping patients in nearly 90
countries, Genzyme is a leader in the effort to develop and apply the most
advanced technologies in the life sciences. The company's products and
services are focused on rare inherited disorders, kidney disease,
orthopaedics, cancer, transplant, and diagnostic testing. Genzyme's
commitment to innovation continues today with a substantial development
program focused on these fields, as well as immune disease, infectious
disease, and other areas of unmet medical need.
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including the
statements regarding the ability of the ERCC1 and RRM1 proteins to help
predict patient response to therapy, and Genzyme's plans to develop and market
a diagnostic test which may be used to measure expression of these proteins
and to guide first-line treatment for NSCLC patients. These statements are
subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements. These
risks and uncertainties include, among others, scientific, technical and
supply issues that prevent the development of a ERCC1/RRM1 test, the failure
of ERCC1/RRM1 testing to produce diagnostic results as anticipated, the
continued availability of ERCC1/RRM1 testing resulting from the lack of
commercial acceptance of this test, including the acceptance of the test at
price levels that are economically viable for Genzyme Genetics, and the other
risks and uncertainties described in reports filed by Genzyme with the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, including without limitation the information under the heading
"Risk Factors" in the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations section of the Genzyme Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarter ending September 30, 2007. Genzyme cautions
investors not to place substantial reliance on the forward-looking statements
contained in this press release. These statements speak only as of the date of
this press release, and Genzyme undertakes no obligation to update or revise
the statements.
Genzyme(R) is a registered trademark of Genzyme Corporation. All rights
reserved.
Genzyme's press releases and other company information are available at
www.genzyme.com and by calling Genzyme's investor information line at
1-800-905-4369 within the United States or 1-678-999-4572 outside the United
States.

Media Contacts

For Genzyme For Moffitt Cancer Center
Patrick Flanigan (investor) Michelle Foley
(617) 768-6563 (813) 745-1505

Sarah Millerick (media)
(617) 768-6690

SOURCE Genzyme Corp.

investor, Patrick Flanigan, +1-617-768-6563, or media, Sarah Millerick,
+1-617-768-6690, both for Genzyme, or Michelle Foley for Moffitt Cancer
Center, +1-813-745-1505