Last Updated Dec 13, 2009 6:41 PM ESTGenzyme (GENZ) investors might be forgiven for doing a double-t...

1. Genzyme Lab Recognized for Quality. Yes, Really.
Last Updated Dec 13, 2009 6:41 PM EST
Genzyme (GENZ) investors might be forgiven for doing a double-take last week when they saw the
following headline: Genzyme Laboratory Recognized for Quality.
After all, the words "Genzyme" and "quality" aren't often seen in close quarters these days, not
unless the sentence also includes words like "abysmal" or "fiasco."
To recap, problems at Genzyme's Allston Landing manufacturing plant -- first with viral
contamination and later with bits of garbage somehow making it into drug vials -- have battered the
big biotech's stock and blackened its eyes. The contamination issues have led to shortages of
Gaucher's disease drug Cerezyme (imiglucerase) and Fabry disease drug Fabrazyme (agalsidase
beta), allowed competitors to penetrate what was once a Genzyme monopoly in Gaucher's, and
resulted in FDA rejection of Pompe disease drug Lumizyme (alglucosidase alfa). Henri Termeer has
been called the worst biotech CEO of the year, and activist investor Carl Icahn has increased his
stake in the now-troubled company.
Which is why it was ironic to see Genzyme patting itself on the back with a press release about a
quality award.

2. To be fair, the award had nothing to do with the Allston manufacturing plant. Genzyme's genetic
testing laboratory in Phoenix, Arizona gained accreditation from the College of American
Pathologists. It's apparently the first commercial genetic testing facility to achieve those honors,
which are based on technical competence and quality management.
According to the release:
"Achieving this accreditation demonstrates our commitment to achieving superior quality standards
and delivering overall operational excellence," said Jon Hart, senior vice president and general
manager of Genzyme Genetics.
Well, at least someone, somewhere in the Genzyme organization is on the ball when it comes to
quality. Think they're interested in a transfer to Allston?
© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc.. All Rights Reserved.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/genzyme-lab-recognized-for-quality-yes-really/