Genzyme seeks new Synvisc use

Genzyme Corp., a Cambridge biotechnology company, said today that it is seeking regulatory approval to use its Synvisc pain treatment in a new way.

Synvisc is currently delivered three times in once-a-week intervals to manage pain caused by osteoarthritis of the knee.

But now Genzyme is filing an application with the Food and Drug Administration that would allow for Synvisc to be delivered in a single treatment, called Synvisc-One, that could provide pain relief for up to six months.

If Synvisc-One is approved, it would be the only such product available to provide this duration of pain relief from a single injection, Genzyme said.

According to Genzyme, this product line extension of Synvisc can simplify osteoarthritis knee-pain management and reduce the overall cost of the therapy.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)