Genzyme to divest diagnostics business to Sekisui Chemical

Sekisui will purchase substantially all of the assets of the business, including diagnostic product lines and technologies.

The business will be operated as part of Sekisui Medical Co, a division of Sekisui Chemical.

Genzyme’s diagnostics business provides critical raw materials and enzymes, clinical chemistry reagents, rapid tests and infectious disease products to manufacturers, clinical laboratories, distributors and health care providers.

The business is focused on the cardiovascular, diabetes, renal and infectious disease areas.

Genzyme CEO Henri Termeer said that the sale is part of a strategy to sharpen the company’s focus and allocate resources to key areas for their future growth such as manufacturing, rare disease business and product pipeline.

Sekisui Medical has four businesses, which focus on diagnostic reagents, medical devices, pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals, and toxicology research.