NEWS                                                                Exhibit 99.1

Contacts:


Joshua Grass
Manager, Investor and Financial Relations
BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.
(415) 884-6777

Fredda Malkoff
Account Director
Feinstein Kean Healthcare
(617) 577-8110

For Immediate Release:

                   BioMarin Files Shelf Registration Statement

Novato, California, December 20, 2002 - BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (Nasdaq and
SWX New  Market:  BMRN)  today  announced  that it has filed a Form S-3  "shelf"
registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the offer
and sale by BioMarin of up to an aggregate of $150 million of its common stock.

A registration  statement  relating to these  securities has been filed with the
Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  but has not yet become  effective.  These
securities  may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted  prior to the time
the registration  becomes  effective.  This news release shall not constitute an
offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale
of these securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would
be unlawful prior to registration or qualification  under the securities laws of
any such State.

When  available,  copies of the  preliminary  prospectus  may be  obtained  from
BioMarin's investor relations department at 371 Bel Marin Keys Boulevard,  #210,
Novato, California 94949.

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