CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Genzyme, a Sanofi company (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY), announced today the appointment of William “Bill” Sibold as Head of Multiple Sclerosis and Rogério Vivaldi as Head of Rare Diseases. Both will report to David Meeker, President and Chief Executive Officer of Genzyme, and will join the Genzyme Executive Team. The MS and Rare Disease businesses constitute Genzyme’s core focus following its integration with Sanofi.

These appointments are a critical step in launching the new Genzyme,” said David Meeker. “Bill and Rogério are dynamic leaders with the experience, energy, vision and commitment to patients needed to move us forward.”

Bill Sibold has more than 20 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, primarily in commercial operations, and has worked on multiple sclerosis products Avonex® and Tysabri®. He spent eight years in positions of increasing responsibility at Biogen Idec Inc., where, as Senior Vice President of U.S. Commercial, he was responsible for the company’s .5 billion neurology, oncology and rheumatology therapeutic areas consisting of approximately 800 employees. Prior to this, Bill served as managing director of Biogen Idec’s Asia Pacific region, where he was responsible for Australia, New Zealand and six Asian countries.

“Our goal is to build a world-leading multiple sclerosis franchise,” said David Meeker. “Bill’s substantial commercial experience and his deep knowledge of the MS field will be critical to the launch of Lemtrada™* and Aubagio™*, two investigational therapies with the potential to transform the lives of people living with MS.”

Bill joins Genzyme from Avanir Pharmaceuticals, where he was the Chief Commercial Officer, leading all of the company's commercial activities. Bill earned his MBA from Harvard Business School and his BA in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry from Yale University.

Rogério Vivaldi joined Genzyme in 1997 and has held positions of increasing responsibility over his career with the company. Prior to this appointment, Rogério was President of Genzyme’s Renal and Endocrinology Business. He previously served as Senior Vice President and President of Genzyme Latin America, responsible for the company’s significant growth and diversification in the region, after founding Genzyme in Brazil.

Rogério was the first Brazilian doctor to treat a patient with Gaucher disease with enzyme replacement therapy in 1992 and has authored several publications on Gaucher disease. He was the founding partner of the Latin American Group on Gaucher. Rogério received his medical degree from Universidade do Rio de Janeiro Medical School, and received his MBA degree from Copead – Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro.

“Rogério’s experience as a physician treating Gaucher patients in Brazil and his subsequent work in building our rare disease business in Latin America will provide both continuity and an energizing new beginning for our global rare disease business,” said David Meeker. “Our highest priority is to resolve our product shortages and consistently meet the needs of patients.”

About Genzyme, a Sanofi Company

Genzyme has pioneered the development and delivery of transformative therapies for patients affected by rare and debilitating diseases for over 30 years. We accomplish our goals through world-class research and with the compassion and commitment of our employees. With a focus on rare diseases and multiple sclerosis, we are dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of the patients and families we serve. That goal guides and inspires us every day. Genzyme’s portfolio of transformative therapies, which are marketed in countries around the world, represents groundbreaking and life-saving advances in medicine. As a Sanofi company, Genzyme benefits from the reach and resources of one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, with a shared commitment to improving the lives of patients. Learn more at www.genzyme.com.

* Lemtrada™ and Aubagio™ are the proprietary names submitted to health authorities for the company's investigational multiple sclerosis agent alemtuzumab and teriflunomide respectively.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50064473&lang=en

Contacts
Genzyme Media Relations
Bo Piela, +1 617-768-6579
bo.piela@genzyme.com




William "Bill" Sibold has been appointed Head of Multiple Sclerosis at Genzyme. Bill has more than 20 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, primarily in commercial operations. (Photo: Business Wire)




Rogerio Vivaldi has been appointed Head of Rare Diseases at Genzyme. Rogerio joined Genzyme in 1997 and has held positions of increasing responsibility over his career with the company. (Photo: Business Wire)