Voted an Innovative and Socially Responsible Company with Loyal Employees

Genzyme Corporation (Nasdaq: GENZ) announced today that scientists have again named the company a top employer in a survey ranking the reputations of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. This year Genzyme moved up in the ranking to third on the global list of nearly 500 companies, the highest ranking it has ever earned. Out of companies headquartered in New England Genzyme topped the list. This is the sixth year that Genzyme has placed among the top 10 of all biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.

The survey, which was commissioned by Science magazine and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), identified the top 20 companies with the best reputations as employers. More than 4,000 Science readers and other industry representatives participated in the survey. Genzyme earned the most votes in the following categories: innovative leader in the industry, a socially responsible company and having loyal employees.

"Our scientists are united by a common goal: to improve the lives of people who have serious diseases," said Alan Smith, Ph.D., senior vice president of research and chief scientific officer at Genzyme. "Because of their dedication and talent Genzyme will continue to develop breakthrough therapies."

About the Survey

Science and AAAS commissioned a web-based survey to determine the biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies with the best reputations as employers. For this year’s survey, a mixed methodology was used. The first part of this methodology included e-mailed invitations to AAAS members, ScienceCareers.org registrants, and Science website visitors registered with AAAS. The second part of the methodology included an e-mail blast to more than 600 human resource contacts from the ScienceCareers.org database.

Survey respondents were asked to write in the names of companies they considered best, average and worst employers. They then rated these companies on 23 different attributes. Attribute categories included Corporate Image, Leadership and Direction, Financial Prowess, Work Culture/Environment, Work/Life Balance, Academics and Collegial Exchange, and Compensation and Benefits.