SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Oct. 25, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (Nasdaq:BMRN) today announced financial results for the third quarter of 2012.  GAAP net loss was $5.4 million ($0.04 per share) for the third quarter of 2012, compared to GAAP net loss of $17.7 million ($0.16 per share) for the third quarter of 2011. Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA was $11.1 million for the third quarter of 2012, compared to non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA of $4.3 million for the third quarter of 2011. The reduced GAAP net loss and the increased non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter of 2012 compared to the third quarter of 2011 was primarily due to increased net product revenue partially offset by a smaller increase in research and development expenses.

GAAP net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $61.3 million ($0.52 per share), compared to GAAP net loss of $27.1 million ($0.24 per share) for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA was $3.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, compared to non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA of $37.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The increased GAAP net loss and the reduced non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA for the first three quarters of 2012 compared to the first three quarters of 2011 was primarily due to increased research and development expenses and increased selling, general and administrative expenses partially offset by increased net product revenue. 

As of September 30, 2012, BioMarin had cash, cash equivalents and short and long-term investments totaling $533.2 million, as compared to $524.6 million on June 30, 2012. 

"During the third quarter, the commercial portfolio showed continued steady growth, and we announced the advancement of two important pipeline programs. PEG-PAL will advance as our next pivotal Phase 3 program in the second quarter of next year and BMN-111 for achondroplasia will advance to a Phase 2 program in mid 2013," said Jean-Jacques Bienaimé, Chief Executive Officer of BioMarin. "The next major inflection point for the company is the readout of the GALNS pivotal Phase 3 study.  We also expect to release Phase 2 results for our BMN-701 Pompe program in the first quarter of 2013 and additional data on our BMN-673 PARP-inhibitor program before year end."

Research and Development Programs

BioMarin continues to make significant investments in research and development to ensure a strong and profitable pipeline for the company. The current pipeline includes programs in various stages of development that focus on treating a range of rare and serious unmet medical needs.     

Advanced Clinical Programs

• GALNS for MPS IVA: The company is on track to report top-line results in the current quarter. Two of the three ancillary studies are fully enrolled: a clinical trial for patients under five years of age and a cardiopulmonary study to more completely document the health benefits of GALNS. A study in patients with limited ambulation is expected to complete enrollment this quarter.

Mid-Stage Clinical Programs

• PEG-PAL for PKU: The company expects to initiate a pivotal Phase 3 study in the second quarter of 2013, following an anticipated end of Phase 2 meeting with the FDA in the first quarter of 2013. The preliminary Phase 3 design includes an open-label study to evaluate safety and blood Phe levels in naïve patients and a randomized controlled study of the Phase 2 extension study patients to evaluate blood Phe levels and psychiatric and executive function endpoints.
   
• Kuvan Outcomes Study: PKU-016, a randomized, placebo-controlled, 13-week outcomes study in patients treated with Kuvan is fully enrolled. Endpoints include clinically validated measures of neuropsychiatric symptoms and, if successful, may enable a label amendment. The company expects to report top-line results in the second quarter of 2013.

Early-Stage Clinical Programs

• BMN-701 for Pompe Disease: The company has completed the enrollment of 16 patients in the 20 mg/kg cohort. Top-line results for the Phase 1/2 trial are expected in the first quarter of 2013.
   
• BMN-673 (PARP inhibitor): Over 20 patients have been dosed in the Phase 1/2 open-label trial on once daily, orally administered BMN-673 for advanced or recurrent solid tumors. An update on this program is expected in the fourth quarter of 2012.   A Phase 3 trial in advanced or recurrent solid tumors could start enrolling by the end of 2013.
   
• BMN-111 for Achondroplasia: The company expects to initiate a Phase 2 trial in patients in mid 2013. 

Preclinical Programs

• BMN-190 for LINCL (Batten disease): BioMarin expects to file the IND for BMN-190 in the first half of 2013. 
   
• Other early stage programs: BioMarin is working on multiple additional early development opportunities.

Non-GAAP Financial Information and Reconciliation

The above results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and September 30, 2011 and financial guidance for the year ending December 31, 2012 are all determined in accordance with GAAP except for non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA which is determined on a non-GAAP basis. As used in this release, non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA income is based on GAAP earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and further adjusted to also exclude certain non-cash stock compensation expense, non-cash contingent consideration expense and certain other nonrecurring material items (non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA). 

The following table presents the reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP financial metrics:

BioMarin believes that this non-GAAP information is useful to investors, taken in conjunction with BioMarin's GAAP information because it provides additional information regarding the performance of BioMarin's core ongoing business, Naglazyme, Kuvan, Aldurazyme and Firdapse and development of its pipeline. By providing information about both the overall GAAP financial performance and the non-GAAP measures that focus on continuing operations, the company believes that the additional information enhances investors' overall understanding of the company's business and prospects for the future. Further, the company uses both the GAAP and the non-GAAP results and expectations internally for its operating, budgeting and financial planning purposes and uses the non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA methodology in establishing corporate goals for internal compensation programs.

Conference Call Details

BioMarin will host a conference call and webcast to discuss third quarter 2012 financial results today, Thursday, October 25, at 5:00 p.m. ET. This event can be accessed on the investor section of the BioMarin website at www.BMRN.com.

About BioMarin

BioMarin develops and commercializes innovative biopharmaceuticals for serious diseases and medical conditions. The company's product portfolio comprises four approved products and multiple clinical and pre-clinical product candidates. Approved products include Naglazyme^® (galsulfase) for mucopolysaccharidosis VI (MPS VI), a product wholly developed and commercialized by BioMarin; Aldurazyme^® (laronidase) for mucopolysaccharidosis I (MPS I), a product which BioMarin developed through a 50/50 joint venture with Genzyme Corporation; Kuvan^® (sapropterin dihydrochloride) Tablets, for phenylketonuria (PKU), developed in partnership with Merck Serono, a division of Merck KGaA of Darmstadt, Germany; and Firdapse™ (amifampridine), which has been approved by the European Commission for the treatment of Lambert Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome (LEMS). Product candidates include GALNS (N-acetylgalactosamine 6-sulfatase), which is currently in Phase III clinical development for the treatment of MPS IVA, amifampridine phosphate (3,4-diaminopyridine phosphate), which is currently in Phase III clinical development for the treatment of LEMS in the U.S., PEG-PAL (PEGylated recombinant phenylalanine ammonia lyase), which is currently in Phase II clinical development for the treatment of PKU, BMN-701, a novel fusion protein of insulin-like growth factor 2 and acid alpha glucosidase (IGF2-GAA), which is currently in Phase I/II clinical development for the treatment of Pompe disease, BMN-673, a poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, which is currently in Phase I/II clinical development for the treatment of genetically-defined cancers, and BMN-111, a modified C-nutriuretic peptide, which is currently in Phase I clinical development for the treatment of achondroplasia. For additional information, please visit www.BMRN.com. Information on BioMarin's website is not incorporated by reference into this press release.

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Forward-Looking Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements about the business prospects of BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc., including, without limitation, statements about: the expectations of revenue and sales related to Naglazyme, Kuvan, Firdapse, and Aldurazyme; the financial performance of the BioMarin as a whole; the timing of BioMarin's clinical trials of GALNS, Firdapse, PEG-PAL, BMN-673, BMN-701, BMN-111 and other product candidates; the continued clinical development and commercialization of Aldurazyme, Naglazyme, Kuvan, Firdapse, and its product candidates; and actions by regulatory authorities. 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: our success in the continued commercialization of Naglazyme, Kuvan, and Firdapse; Genzyme Corporation's success in continuing the commercialization of Aldurazyme; results and timing of current and planned preclinical studies and clinical trials, particularly with respect to GALNS, Firdapse, PEG-PAL, BMN-673, BMN-701 and BMN-111; our ability to successfully manufacture our products and product candidates; the content and timing of decisions by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the European Commission and other regulatory authorities concerning each of the described products and product candidates; the market for each of these products and particularly Aldurazyme, Naglazyme, Kuvan and Firdapse; actual sales of Aldurazyme, Naglazyme Kuvan and Firdapse; Merck Serono's activities related to Kuvan; 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 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and the factors contained in BioMarin's reports on Form 10-Q. 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^®, Naglazyme^®, Kuvan^® and Firdapse™ are registered trademarks of BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.

Aldurazyme^® is a registered trademark of BioMarin/Genzyme LLC.

CONTACT: Investors and Media

         Eugenia Shen

         BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.

         (415) 506-6570