BioMarin Provides Grant to NORD to Expand PKU Patient Suppor...( Financial Assistance Intended To Hel...),Health

Financial Assistance Intended To Help Patients with Out of Pocket Expenses

for Medical Foods

NOVATO, Calif., Oct. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (Nasdaq and SWX: BMRN) announced today that it has provided a $250,000 grant to the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) to support a new financial assistance program for patients with phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare genetic metabolic disorder. Funds from this new program may be renewed based on ongoing need and are specifically directed to help PKU patients with the substantial daily cost of medical foods when not paid for by insurance or Medicaid programs. NORD is working closely with Genetic Metabolic Dietitians International (GMDI), an independent professional organization, to develop program guidelines and provide ongoing support to NORD in the administration of these funds.

"We are committed to the PKU community and believe that it is important that every patient obtains optimal therapeutic treatment," said Jean-Jacques Bienaime, Chief Executive Officer of BioMarin. "We are pleased to expand our relationship with NORD and GMDI to assist patients with out of pocket costs and help to ensure that patients in need are not limited by financial constraints."

"PKU patients must maintain strict diets and rely on costly medical foods which are not covered by most insurance companies. This can cost families thousands of dollars per year," said Abbey Meyers, President and co-founder of NORD. "This grant will enable us to enhance our services to better meet the immediate needs of PKU patients and alleviate the considerable financial burden this illness has on their families."

"Consistent with our mission to maximize the benefits of newborn screening and prevent the devastating outcomes of an untreated disease through the use of medical foods, we are pleased to work with NORD and BioMarin to help the PKU community. Together, we are dedi
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