NOVATO, Calif., April 21, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- BioMarin
Pharmaceutical Inc. (Nasdaq: BMRN) announced today the initiation of a Phase
1/2 clinical trial for BMN-110 or N-acetylgalactosamine 6-sulfatase (GALNS),
intended for the treatment of the lysosomal storage disorder ucopolysaccharidosis Type IVA (MPS IVA), or Morquio A Syndrome. The company expects to report initial results in the first half of 2010.

"We plan to leverage our clinical, manufacturing and regulatory expertise to bring a new therapeutic option to the significant number of untreated Morquio patients around the world," said Henry Fuchs, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of BioMarin. "GALNS has been shown in mice to reach important tissues including cartilage and different zones of the bone such as bone marrow, calcified bone and importantly, the growth plate. Our experiments have also shown that GALNS is taken up into human Morquio chondrocytes in vitro and reaches the lysosome to clear keratan sulfate."

Chris Hendriksz, M.D., Consultant in Metabolic Disorders, Birmingham Children's Hospital, added, "This is a very exciting announcement for our patients who have been waiting so long for a potential therapy. Hope of a therapeutic is now within reach for these patients, and Birmingham Children's Hospital is very honoured to be part of this exciting development."

The Phase 1/2 study is designed as an open-label, within-patient dose escalation trial in approximately 20 patients followed by a treatment continuation phase. All patients to be enrolled in the study have already been identified. During the dose escalation phase of the study, subjects will receive weekly intravenous infusions of BMN-110 in three consecutive 12-week dosing intervals. The objectives of the Phase 1/2 study will be to evaluate safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and to identify the optimal dose of GALNS for future studies.

BioMarin has developed and manufactures two FDA-approved enzyme replacement therapies, one for the treatment of MPS I and one for the treatment of MPS VI. Naglazyme(R) (galsulfase) for MPS VI is wholly developed and commercialized by BioMarin. Aldurazyme(R) (laronidase) for MPS I is manufactured by BioMarin and marketed by Genzyme Corporation.

About MPS IVA

Mucopolysaccharidosis IVA (MPS IVA, also known as Morquio A Syndrome) is a disorder characterized by deficient activity of N-acetylgalactosamine 6-sulfatase (GALNS) causing excessive lysosomal storage of keratan sulfate (KS). This excessive storage causes a systemic skeletal dysplasia, short stature, and joint abnormalities, which limit mobility and endurance. Malformation of the thorax as well as macrophage dysfunction in the lung likely impairs respiratory function and contributes to sinopulmonary infections. Odontoid dysplasia and ligamentous laxity can commonly cause cervical spinal instability and potentially spinal cord compression. Other symptoms may include recurrent infections, hearing loss, corneal clouding,and heart valvular disease. Initial symptoms often become vident in the first five years of life. Depending on severity of the disorder, age of diagnosis will vary. Many patients become wheelchair dependent in their second decade of life and undergo numerous surgeries to alleviate life-threatening conditions caused by the underlying enzyme deficiency.

The incidence estimates for MPS IVA vary widely, between one in 200,000 livee births to one in 300,000 live births. Approximately 400 patients worldwide have been identified and tracked through the International Morquio Organization (IMO) survey. There are already more MPS IVA patients identified through this registry than there are MPS VI patients being treated with Naglazyme worldwide. Based on the number of identified patients to date, the prevalence of patients with MPS IVA appears similar to that with MPS I.

About BioMarin

BioMarin develops and commercializes innovative biopharmaceuticals for serious diseases and medical conditions. The company's product portfolio comprises three approved products and multiple clinical and preclinical product candidates. Approved products include Naglazyme(R) (galsulfase) for mucopolysaccharidosis VI (MPS VI), a product wholly developed and commercialized by BioMarin; Aldurazyme(R) (laronidase) for ucopolysaccharidosis I (MPS I), a product which was developed through a 50/50 joint venture with Genzyme Corporation; and Kuvan(R) (sapropterin dihydrochloride) Tablets, a product for the treatment of phenylketonuria (PKU), developed in partnership with Merck Serono, a division of Merck KGaA of Darmstadt, Germany. Other product candidates include PEG-PAL (PEGylated recombinant phenylalanine ammonia lyase), which is currently in Phase 1 clinical development for the treatment of PKU. For additional information, please visit www.BMRN.com. Information on BioMarin's website is not incorporated by reference into this press release.

Forward-Looking Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements about the business prospects of BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc., including, without limitation, statements about: the development of its program for MPS IVA, and particularly the timing and conduct of clinical trials related thereto, and expectations regarding filings with regulatory agencies. These forward-looking statements are predictions and involve risks and uncertainties such that actual results may differ materially from these statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: the results of current and planned pre-clinical trials related to the enzyme replacement therapy for MPS IVA; the content and timing of decisions by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, EMEA and other regulatory agencies, particularly with respect to the enzyme replacement therapy for MPS IVA, and those factors detailed in BioMarin's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, the factors contained under the caption "Risk Factors" in BioMarin's 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Stockholders are urged not to place undue reliance on forward-looking tatements, which speak only as of the date hereof. BioMarin is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

BioMarin(R), Naglazyme(R) and Kuvan(R) are registered trademarks of BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.

Aldurazyme(R) is a registered trademark of BioMarin/Genzyme LLC.

　Contacts:

　Investors Media

　Eugenia Shen Susan Berg

　BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.

　(415) 506-6570 (415) 506-6594

SOURCE BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.