Genzyme Tissue ponies up for NeuroCell

Genzyme Tissue Repair Division (GENZL) moved to expand its line of cell-based products, forming a joint venture to develop and commercialize Diacrin Inc.'s two NeuroCell porcine neural cell products for transplantation into people with advanced Parkinson's or Huntington's disease.

GENZL's other cell-based technologies in development include Carticel-2 for knee cartilage replacement and Epicel-2 for severe burns, both in research stage. The company also is developing Vianain, a debriding product, for severe burns and TGF Beta for chronic skin ulcers in Phase II trials; and Vianain for chronic skin ulcers in Phase I trials...