IAF Biochem

BioChem Pharma, originally founded as IAF Biochem in 1986, was a leading Canadian biotechnology company based in Laval, Quebec. The company is most famous for the development of lamivudine, also known as 3TC, which became a foundational component of combination therapy for HIV/AIDS. Beyond HIV, the company successfully commercialized lamivudine for the treatment of chronic Hepatitis B under the brand name Zeffix. BioChem Pharma maintained a significant strategic partnership with GlaxoSmithKline for the global marketing of its antiviral products. In May 2001, the company was acquired by Shire Pharmaceuticals in a deal valued at approximately $4 billion. Its success played a critical role in establishing the life sciences cluster in the Greater Montreal area.