Firm celebrates 25 years

LEADING biotechnology company Genzyme yesterday celebrated 25 years of operating in Haverhill. The group, based in Boston, US, whose products focus on rare inherited disorders, kidney disease, cancer and transplants, was founded in 1981 and arrived in the Suffolk town the following year which it acquired local company Koch Light Ltd.

LEADING biotechnology company Genzyme yesterday celebrated 25 years of operating in Haverhill.

The group, based in Boston, US, whose products focus on rare inherited disorders, kidney disease, cancer and transplants, was founded in 1981 and arrived in the Suffolk town the following year which it acquired local company Koch Light Ltd.

New facilities were later constructed for the manufacture of pharmaceutical ingredients and Genzyme began testing, labelling and distributing therapeutic products throughout Europe, leading to it receiving the Queen's Award for Export in 1994.

The present century has seen a further transformation of its presence in the town, with the construction of two large scale production plants as part of an investment exceeding £100million. Today, it has a workforce in Haverhill of more than 300, compared with just 25 in 1982.

Yesterday's anniversary also marks the start of yet another new era for the business, as it completes an £18million expansion to accommodate the manufacture of the generation renal failure drug Renvela, due to commence early next year.

Staff were invited to celebrate the site's history and achievements at a gala event yesterday following the planting of 25 silver birch trees to commemorate the company's silver anniversary.

Simon Cousins, vice president and general manager of Genzyme Haverhill, said: “It has been an interesting journey. It has also been hugely eventful for the company and our success couldn't have been achieved without the support from our employees, the local community and authorities which makes doing business in Haverhill a pleasure.”