BioMarin Receives 2009 Corporate Award for the Developmen...( National Organization for Rare Disord...),Health

National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) Recognizes BioMarin's Efforts to Expand Treatment Options for Patients with PKU

NOVATO, Calif., May 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (Nasdaq: BMRN) announced today that it has received the 2009 Corporate Award from the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), an organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with rare diseases. The award was presented on May 14 at NORD's annual "Partners in Progress" Gala in Washington, D.C. It recognizes BioMarin's significant achievements toward improving the lives of people living with phenylketonuria (PKU).

NORD honored BioMarin for the development of Kuvan(R) (sapropterin dihydrochloride) Tablets, the first and only prescription medication for PKU. Kuvan is indicated to reduce blood phenylalanine (Phe) levels in patients with hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) due to tetrahydrobiopterin- (BH4-) responsive phenylketonuria (PKU). PKU is a rare genetic disorder that can cause brain damage and various neurological complications, including mental retardation, mental illness, seizures, tremors and cognitive problems. Designated as an orphan disease, PKU occurs in about one out of every 12,000 to 15,000 live births in the United States.

"It is a great honor to receive this award from NORD," said Jean-Jacques Bienaime, Chief Executive Officer of BioMarin. "We are very pleased to be able to provide this important treatment option to PKU patients and we will continue to push our scientific research and product development efforts forward to meet the medical needs of PKU patients -- and those with other rare diseases."

Each year NORD selects organizations that have made a positive contribution to further the needs of the patient community and have inspired the public to do so as well
'/>"/>