Genzyme Generel refocuses

In recent months, Chiron Corp. and Amgen Inc. have rid themselves of side businesses in favor of a focus on core expertise. Genzyme General last week followed the slimming trend, shifting its pharmaceutical manufacturing business away from bulk and nutraceuticals to concentrate on its proprietary formulations of phospholipids, peptides and hyaluronic acid, which have higher margins.

GENZ also will stop U.S. development of its Sepracoat adhesion prevention product, which an FDA panel failed to recommend in May. The company will continue selling Sepracoat in Europe...