( alarming rise in theincidence of disea...)Genzyme Announces Data from First Phase 3 Study of Tolevamer in,Patients with C. difficile Associated Diarrhea,Health

Tolevamer is designed to bind and neutralize the toxins released by C. difficile that damage the intestine. A non-antibiotic approach has the potential to treat CDAD and reduce the number of disease recurrences, resulting in improved quality of life for the patient and significant savings to the healthcare system.

About the PACT Study

The PACT study, which involved more than 1,100 patients at approximately 300 sites in North America, Europe, and Australia, is the largest of its kind ever to be conducted for CDAD. In this trial, tolevamer was compared to metronidazole and vancomycin. Aside from testing tolevamer's efficacy, this was also the first large, rigorously designed, multi-center clinical study that will compare the efficacy of the current standards of care.

About Clostridium difficile

C. difficile proliferates in the setting of altered normal colonic bacterial flora, most commonly due to the administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Once established in the colon, C. difficile produces toxins that disrupt the intestinal lining, causing cell death and inflammation that result in diarrhea and colitis.

Earlier studies have shown that even after successful treatment with the current standard of care, approximately 20 percent of patients experience a recurrence of CDAD potentially requiring repeat hospitalization. In addition, a subset of patients with CDAD develop multiple recurrences of the disease, with symptoms that may persist for years.

About Genzyme One of the world's leading biotechnology companies, Genzyme is dedicated to making a major positive impact on the lives of people with serious diseases. Since 1981, the company has grown from a small start-up to a diversified enterprise with more than 9,000 employees in locations spanning the globe and 2006 revenue
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