Exhibit 99.1

Contacts:

Joshua Grass                                           Fredda Malkoff
Manager, Investor Relations                            Account Director
BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.                           Feinstein Kean Healthcare
(415) 884-6777                                         (617) 577-8110

For Immediate Release:

                          BioMarin Receives U.S. Patent
                  Covering AldurazymeTM for Treatment of MPS I

Novato, CA July 31st, 2002 - BioMarin  Pharmaceutical Inc. (Nasdaq and Swiss SWX
New Market:  BMRN) today announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has
issued U.S. Patent No.  6,426,208  covering  AldurazymeTM  (laronidase)  for the
treatment of  mucopolysaccharidosis  I (MPS I). Aldurazyme is a specific form of
purified recombinant human  alpha-L-iduronidase that is being investigated as an
enzyme  replacement  therapy for MPS I, a  life-threatening  genetic disease for
which no specific drug treatments currently exist.

The patent claims unique  characteristics of the  pharmaceutical  composition of
Aldurazyme,  including, but not limited to, the purity of alpha-L-iduronidase in
the final  formulation.  This patent,  which protects a highly  purified form of
alpha-L-iduronidase,  supports  the  intellectual  property  position  for using
Aldurazyme  to treat  MPS I.  BioMarin  continues  to take  additional  steps to
strengthen the intellectual property position for Aldurazyme.

About MPS I

MPS I (historically known as Hurler,  Hurler-Scheie,  and Scheie syndromes) is a
life-threatening   genetic   disease  caused  by  a  deficiency  of  the  enzyme
alpha-L-iduronidase.  This  deficiency  leads  to the  accumulation  of  complex
carbohydrates in the lysosomes of cells, leading to the progressive  dysfunction
of cellular,  tissue and organ systems.  Resulting symptoms can include impaired
cardiac and pulmonary function, delayed physical development, skeletal and joint
deformities,  reduced endurance,  and in some cases,  delayed mental function. A
majority of patients die before adulthood from complications of the disease.

BioMarin Pharmaceutical  specializes in the development and commercialization of
therapeutic  enzyme  products to treat  serious,  life-threatening  diseases and
conditions.



This  press  release  contains  forward-looking  statements  about the  business
prospects  of BioMarin  Pharmaceutical  Inc.,  including  its product  candidate
Aldurazyme  for the  treatment of MPS I. These  forward-looking  statements  are
predictions  and involve risks and  uncertainties  such that actual  results may
differ materially from these statements. Results may differ materially depending
on the progress of BioMarin's  product  programs,  future  actions of the United
States  Patent  and  Trademark  Office  and  foreign  patent  offices,  possible
challenges  by third  parties to the scope and validity of the above  referenced
patent and those factors detailed in BioMarin's  filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission such as 10Q, 10K and 8K reports.  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.


AldurazymeTM is a trademark of BioMarin/Genzyme LLC.  All Rights Reserved.

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BioMarin's press releases and other company  information are available online at
http://www.biomarinpharm.com.