MONEY BRIEFS.

• Position: MONEY

COLUMN: MONEY BRIEFS

Genzyme takeover

Sanofi-Aventis SA is unlikely to make a hostile takeover bid for Genzyme Corp. because that wouldn't allow a full review of manufacturing changes made after a plant contamination caused drug shortages, analysts said.

Genzyme said in a regulatory filing it may take as long as four years to finish fixes requested by U.S. regulators. "A potential deal is only possible after Sanofi has the opportunity for full due diligence," said Michael Leuchten, an analyst with Barclays Capital in London.

Cambridge-based Genzyme, the world's largest maker of genetic-disease medicines, which has a facility in Northboro, agreed in May to pay a $175 million penalty after the Food and Drug Administration found quality deficiencies at its Allston Landing facility.

Leominster loan

LEOMINSTER - The Massachusetts Development Finance Agency has provided a $1 million loan to 40 Spruce Street LLC, an entity formed to buy and renovate the blighted property at 40 Spruce St.

James Whitney, principal, will use the money to renovate the building for its new anchor tenant, Community HealthLink. The project is expected to move 40 jobs to downtown Leominster.

The new loan follows a previous $1.18 million loan provided by the agency in 2008 that helped to finance the acquisition of the property.

Aimtek gets contract

Praxair Inc. of Danbury, Conn., the largest industrial gases company in the Americas, has signed a distributor agreement with Aimtek Inc. of Auburn, to repackage its nitrogen, oxygen, argon and helium products.

Praxair sells industrial, process and atmospheric gases and gas mixtures to the aerospace, chemicals, food and beverage, electronics, energy, healthcare, manufacturing and metals industries.

Aimtek is a supplier of bulk, specialty, and industrial gases. Its subsidiaries include Bay State Surface Technologies and Atech Turbine Components.

RXi reduces loss

WORCESTER - RXi Pharmaceuticals Corp. posted a net loss of $2.1 million, or 12 cents per diluted share, for the second quarter ended June 30.

That compares to a net loss of $5.1 million or 37...