Sanofi Genzyme history

In 1982, it made its second acquisition, British-based Koch-Light Laboratories, later becoming Genzyme Pharmaceutical and Fine Chemicals.

Henri Termeer joined Genzyme as its president in 1983 and worked to redirect the company, which by this time had reached a valuation of $100 million, from its focus on diagnostic enzymes to modified enzymes for use as human therapeutics.

In 1984, Robin Berman, MD, who volunteered at the NIH, had a three-year-old son Brian, who had Gaucher's disease.

In 1986, Genzyme became a public company with an initial public offering that raised $28.2 million.

Genzyme divested Koch-Light Laboratories in 1987.

In 1988, the company, with partial funding from the Department of Trade & Industry, opened a pharmaceutical chemical plant in Haverville, United Kingdom, doubling Genzyme's manufacturing capacity.

But Carpenter was willing to deal in 1989 after trying to sell out to a large pharmaceutical company.

Genzyme reported revenues of $121.7 million, more than double 1990 revenues of $54.8 million.

In 1992, Genzyme acquired Medix Biotech, Inc., a producer and supplier of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, immunoassay components, and immunodiagnostic services.

In 1993, Genzyme acquired both Virotech of Russelsheim, Germany, a producer and distributor of in-vitro diagnostic kits, and Omni Res srl of Milan, Italy, a producer and seller of immunobiological products.

In 1994, the company received FDA approval to sell Cerezyme, the genetically engineered replacement for Ceredase.

In 1995, Genzyme's next project, a range of hyaluronic acid (HA) products, also looked promising.

Genzyme took further steps toward expanding its cancer research capabilities in 1996, when it reached an agreement with Imperial Cancer Research Technology Ltd. in the United Kingdom to establish a joint venture dedicated to researching cancer gene therapies.

In 1997, the company acquired PharmaGenics, Inc. creating Genzyme Molecular Oncology.

Renagel, a kidney therapy designed to control blood phosphate levels in hemodialysis patients, was launched in 1999, and within one year was being used by more than 30,000 patients.

In 2000, the company announced its plan to acquire Biomatrix, Inc.

In August 2003, the company acquired SangStat Medical Corp. and its principal anti-organ rejection drug named Thymoglobulin for $600 million.

In 2004, the company acquired Ilex Oncology Inc.

In 2005, the company acquired Bone Care International Inc for $600 million.

In 2006, the company acquired AnorMED Inc. for $580 million

In 2007, the company agreed to acquire Bioenvision for $345 million, motivated by the potential of the leukemia treatment clofarabine.

Sanofi named Chris Viehbacher as chief executive at the end of 2008.

Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Genzyme has about 10,000 employees and posted revenue in 2009 of $4.5 billion.

Name Disease 2010 sales in euros

In 2011, Sanofi acquired the company for $20.1 billion.