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Genzyme Corp.’s stock is trading higher on news that the company has hired a new head of product quality in Ron Branning.
It is one of several recent moves designed to restore confidence in the company’s manufacturing processes, following troubles at its Allston plant. The plant was closed for six weeks over the summer following the discovery of a virus, and the plant has also been the subject of FDA warning letters detailing manufacturing compliance problems.
The Cambridge-based biotechnology company announced Friday that Branning has joined the company as senior vice president of global product quality. The company said that his job will be to ensure the quality of all Genzyme products manufactured at 17 sites around the world.
“We are committed to the highest standards of drug and device quality for patients,” said Henri A. Termeer, Genzyme’s chairman and CEO, in a statement. “Bringing in new senior leaders such as Ron is a fundamental component of our plan to renew and strengthen our manufacturing organization.”
Branning has 30 years of experience in product quality and regulatory affairs at biotech and pharmaceutical companies including Johnson & Johnson Co., Gilead Sciences Inc., Genentech Inc., and companies acquired by Baxter International Inc., Wyeth and Pfizer Inc.
Genzyme officials pointed out that Branning has specific expertise in building quality programs and compliance systems that have resolved significant challenges, including FDA warning letters, product recalls and the like.
The temporary shutdown of the Allston plant has led to an ongoing shortage of drugs for two rare, serious diseases. Earlier this week Genzyme announced it would contract with an outside company to provide some manufacturing services that had previously been done at the Allston plant.
Genzyme’s (Nasdaq: GENZ) stock climbed 4.6 percent in afternoon trading on Friday, to $53.47, up from the previous close of $51.13.
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