Chiesi Group, a European pharmaceutical company, has agreed to acquire Danish biopharmaceutical company Zymenex and its related group of companies, a biopharmaceutical group focused on R&D of biologic therapeutics for the treatment of rare and life threatening genetic diseases. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The acquisition of Zymenex includes Lamazym (rhLAMAN), a phase III recombinant enzyme indicated for use to treat patients suffering from alpha-Mannosidosis, as well as other early-stage compounds. Chiesi will leverage its experience in commercializing pharmaceutical solutions to bring the treatment to patients with alpha-mannosidosis worldwide.

"Given the rarity of the condition and the importance of being close to the patients, we will consider setting up a standalone rare disease unit that would cover all major geographies, including the U.S.,” said Ugo Di Francesco, chief executive officer of Chiesi.

Chiesi expects to gradually integrate Zymenex into its R&D structure and retain the Zymenex and Lamazym brands.