Exhibit 99.1

NEWS

Contacts:

Joshua A. Grass                                      Francesca DeVellis
Manager, Investor Relations                          Vice President
BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.                         Feinstein Kean Healthcare
(415) 884-6777                                       (617) 761-6703

For Immediate Release:

      BioMarin Prices $125 Million Convertible Subordinated Notes Offering

     Novato, CA, June 17, 2003 - BioMarin  Pharmaceutical  Inc. (Nasdaq and SWX:
BMRN)  announced  today  that it  agreed  to place  privately  $125  million  of
Convertible  Subordinated  Notes (Notes) due 2008. The Notes will be convertible
at the option of the holder into BioMarin common stock at a conversion  price of
approximately $14.01 per share, subject to adjustment in certain  circumstances.
The initial  conversion price represents a 30.0 percent premium over the closing
bid of BioMarin common stock on June 17, 2003,  which was $10.78 per share.  The
Notes will bear  interest at a rate of 3.5  percent  per annum.  The Company has
granted  the  initial  purchasers  of the Notes a 30-day  option to  purchase an
additional $25 million  principal  amount of the Notes. The holders of the Notes
may  require  BioMarin  to redeem  their  Notes upon the  occurrence  of certain
events, and BioMarin may elect to redeem the Notes beginning June 20, 2006.

     The offering is being made by means of an offering  memorandum to qualified
institutional  buyers  pursuant to Rule 144A of the  Securities  Act of 1933, as
amended.

     This  press  release  shall  not   constitute  an  offer  to  sell  or  the
solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described in this release.
Neither  the Notes  nor the  shares  of  BioMarin  common  stock  issuable  upon
conversion  of the Notes have been  registered  under U.S.  or state  securities
laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or
an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

     BioMarin   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  BioMarin
Pharmaceutical Inc., including the possible offering of the securities described
in this  release,  the timing of such  offering  and the pricing and other terms
associated  with  such   securities.   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 market  price  volatility  of  BioMarin's  common  stock and any possible
governmental  actions or other  significant  announcement  affecting  BioMarin's
business in the future,  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.