New Boss In Town: Sanofi Merges With Genzyme

02:21

April 07, 2011

Genzyme stock is no more. The French drug giant Sanofi-Aventis is completing its $20 billion tender offer for the Cambridge bio-technology company Genzyme — what used to be the state's largest bio-tech firm. Thursday is the first day with the new boss in charge.

Sanofi-Aventis CEO Chris Viehbacher, left, and Genzyme CEO Henri Termeer at a news conference Wednesday (Curt Nickisch/WBUR) — Sanofi-Aventis CEO Chris Viehbacher, left, and Genzyme CEO Henri Termeer at a news conference in February (Curt Nickisch/WBUR)

With the new leadership comes a boost in funding for currently stalled drug productions.

"Give the new Genzyme a chance," Sanofi's CEO Chris Viehbacher said. "It is very clear that if you’ve grown up in the bio-tech sector, the big pharma sector is very different. At the same time, we have a number of opportunities."

So, how's Genzyme going to do under the new ownership? WBUR's Curt Nickisch met with Viehbacher.

Guest:

Curt Nickisch, WBUR reporter

This segment aired on April 7, 2011.