On September 19, Chancellor J. Keith Motley announced through a blast email the donation of $1 million by the biotechnology company Genzyme, which is now owned by the international pharmaceutical corporation Sanofi. The gift will go to the College of Science and Mathematics (CSM) to support its Freshman Success Communities program.
Now in its fifth year, the program groups freshman into communities of students with similar career goals. CSM Dean Andrew Grosovsky explains that “they’re really strong students, but they’re often not given, institutionally, the support they need to have.” This program allows for like-minded students to connect with each other and help them recognize and take advantage of the opportunities afforded them.
This is not the first occurrence of an organization donating to CSM, but arguably this is one of the largest and most publicized donations. Genzyme and UMass Boston have had a long, positive relationship. Ellen Ridge, who works as Genzyme’s Vice President, Portfolio Management, is a UMass Boston alumnus, and in 2008, Genzyme funded a scholarship and internship program for the university.
In a statement for the Boston Globe, Motley comments on the way the partnership will be beneficial for students after graduation: “They are going to be the workforce for companies like Sanofi, and they’re going to be the leaders as well.”
In the spring of 2011, Sanofi bought Genzyme. According to Bloomberg News, Sanofi recently had its breakthrough multiple sclerosis pill Aubagio cleared in the United Kingdom by the National Institute for Care Excellence. This announcement came out a month after their multiple sclerosis drug Lemtrada did not pass the approval of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration due to inadequate information from trials.
Sanofi is no stranger to failing to pass muster under the FDA. Sanofi’s diet pill Acomplia did not receive the approval of the FDA for not having sufficient information from the trials. The drug was sold under the name Zumulti in Europe. In 2007 Sanofi endured a lawsuit that accused them of knowing that the drug was linked to suicidal thoughts. Sanofi payed $40 million to settle that lawsuit out of court.
Director of Communications DeWayne Lehman asserts that “decisions around accepting gifts from individuals and corporations are made in a socially responsible way.” This donation is favorable to both parties, as it funds a university program that continues to provide for its students’ needs while putting the biotechnology company in a good light for its community service.