Genzyme will commercialize Mozobil in the US through a blood and marrow transplant sales force that is part of the company’s transplant and oncology business unit.
Genzyme has submitted an application in Europe for approval of Mozobil and expects approval of the product in the second half of 2009. Genzyme recently filed applications in Australia and Brazil, and additional global applications in up to 60 countries are planned. Mozobil has received orphan drug designation in Mexico which allows the product to be commercialized in the country upon US approval.
Mozobil is designed to mobilize hematopoietic stem cells from the bone marrow into the bloodstream where they can be collected, making it more likely for patients with certain types of cancers to proceed to transplant. Genzyme believes that Mozobil may have broad application outside the current indication.
Joseph Lobacki, senior vice president and general manager of transplant and oncology at Genzyme, said: Mozobil is an exciting and innovative new treatment that expands Genzyme’s contribution to the field of hematology and oncology. We look forward to strengthening our partnership with the blood marrow transplant community to make this product broadly available to patients who are facing transplantation procedures for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma or multiple myeloma.