More contamination found in Genzyme products

Bits of steel, rubber, and fiber have been found in five drugs made by Genzyme Corp., the Cambridge biotechnology giant, according to the US Food and Drug Administration.

The FDA issued a warning today saying the contamination originated in the manufacturing process and was found in less than 1 percent of the products that were examined, which included Genzyme-made drugs "used to treat rare, serious, and life-threatening diseases."

No adverse effects from the contamination have been reported, according to the FDA warning, which said it could potentially have harmful effects on patients.

Genzyme had to shut down production of its two most important drugs this summer when a virus contaminated its facilities in Allston. Both products, Cerezyme and Fabrazyme, were among the five products listed in the FDA warning today. To read a Globe story about Genzyme temporarily shutting down production at Allston, please click here. Production at the Allston plant subsequently resumed after steps were taken to address issues at the facility.

Cerezyme is used to treat Gaucher disease, and Fabrazyme is used to treat Fabry disease. Both are rare genetic disorders.

Also on the list were Genzyme products Myozyme, Aldurazyme, and Thyrogen.

Shares of Genzyme were down $2.94, or 5.53 percent, to $50.23 in early afternoon trading.

A Boston Capital column in today's Globe also referenced Genzyme. To read that column, please click here. (Globe Staff)