NOVATO, California and LONDON, January 22 /PRNewswire/ --
BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (Nasdaq and SWX: BMRN) announced today that it has appointed Mr. Steve Glass as Vice President and General Manager of European Operations. BioMarin Europe Ltd., headquartered in London, is responsible for the sales and distribution of Naglazyme(R) for MPS VI (mucopolysaccharidosis VI) in Europe. Mr. Glass is the former General Manager for Altana/Nycomed, France. He has replaced former Vice President and General Manager, William Aliski who played an instrumental role in the successful launch of Naglazyme in Europe and the establishment of BioMarin's first international commercial operation.
"We are grateful to Bill for his dedicated service to BioMarin and we are pleased to welcome Steve as the new head of our European subsidiary," said Stephen Aselage, Senior Vice President of Global Commercial Operations. "Since establishing our EU headquarters in London in 2006, both the size and scope of our operations have increased dramatically. Steve brings the skills and commitment to accelerate BioMarin into its next phase of growth in Europe and bring important therapeutic treatments to those patients who might otherwise go untreated."
Mr. Glass has extensive international experience in pharmaceutical sales, marketing, and financial and regulatory management. Prior to his appointment as President and General Manager for Nycomed, France, he served as Managing Director of Altana where he was responsible for the successful growth of the company's UK and Irish operations. He has also served as General Manager for Schering-Plough, Portugal, and in a variety of senior management roles for Sanofi-Aventis (formerly Sanofi Synthelabo), Reckitt & Colman and Rhone Poulenc Rorer.
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 mucopolysaccharidosis I (MPS I), a product which BioMarin developed through a joint venture with Genzyme Corporation; and Kuvan(TM) (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 6R-BH4 for cardiovascular indications, which is currently in Phase 2 clinical development for the treatment of peripheral arterial disease and sickle cell disease, and PEG-PAL (PEGylated recombinant phenylalanine ammonia lyase) for the treatment of PKU. For additional information, please visit http://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 and commercialization of Naglazyme, particularly in Europe; actions by regulatory authorities; and statements regarding the development of its product candidates. 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 continued commercialization of Naglazyme; results and timing of current and planned clinical trials of 6R-BH4 for other indications; 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 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Stockholders are urged not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, 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) and Naglazyme(R) are registered trademarks of BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.
Contact:
Investors: Media: Eugenia Shen Susan Berg BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. +1-415-506-6570 +1-415-506-6594
Web site: http://www.bmrn.com
Investors, Eugenia Shen, +1-415-506-6570, or Media, Susan Berg, +1-415-506-6594, both of BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.
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