Genzyme to acquire Novazyme

GENZ will acquire Novazyme (Princeton, N.J.), which is developing protein engineering technologies for specific targeting of replacement enzyme therapies, for $137.5 million in stock. GENZ expects Novazyme's NZ-1001 recombinant human alpha-glucosidase for the treatment of Pompe disease to enter Phase I trials this year. GENZ said the compound is highly phosphorylated and properly glycosylated. GENZ will continue ongoing Phase II trials of its own enzyme replacement therapy for Pompe, which is being developed with Pharming (EASD:PHAR). ...