On Jun. 8, 1981, Genzyme was founded by Sheridan Snyder, George M. Whitesides and scientist Henry Blair, with the first office and laboratory located on the top floor of a 15-story building at 75 Kneeland Street in the Chinatown section of Boston, Mass.

One of the world’s leading biotechnology companies, Genzyme was dedicated to making a major positive impact on the lives of people with serious diseases. Since 1981, the company has grown from a small start-up to a diversified enterprise with approximately 10,000 employees in locations spanning the globe.

In 2011, Sanofi-aventis acquired Genzyme for $74 a share in cash or $21.1 billion.