To promote the science and practice of clinical genetics in India, Genzyme, one of the world's foremost biotechnology companies and now a part of Sanofi worldwide on April 8, 2013, announced a tie-up with the Society for Indian Academy of Medical Genetics (SIAMG) for a joint fellowship program for Indian medical professionals. This program, which is of three months duration will be organized at the Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow and the first batch is set to begin from July this year.

The MOU was signed at New Delhi by SIAMG president, Dr Shubha R Phadke and Mr Sandeep Sahney, head of Genzyme for India and South Asia. Under the terms of the agreement, Genzyme India will provide support to IAMG to help spread awareness about medical genetics in the country. The three-month fellowship program will be supported by Continuous Medical Education (CME) and medical workshops at the local as well as national level. IAMG, with the support of Genzyme, will also be bringing out a quarterly newsletter on genetics under the title of "Genetic Clinics."

Commenting on the agreement, Dr Shubha R Phadke said, "We are very pleased to collaborate with Genzyme India to promote clinical genetics in the country. This partnership will have a significant impact on the newly-emerging field of genetic research and help strengthen India's biotechnology capabilities to make a difference to the lives of the Indian people."

On the same occasion, Mr Sandeep Sahney highlighted that this important agreement as one more example of demonstrating Genzyme's commitment to India. He said, "We are confident that these fellowships in clinical genetics will act as a catalyst for promoting academic excellence and applied research in this discipline in India as well as build clinical expertise."