1






[CAMREX CORPORATION LOGO]
                                                                     EXHIBIT 99A

CAMBREX CORPORATION                                                NEWS RELEASE

One Meadowlands Plaza
East Rutherford, NJ 07073
Tel: (201) 804-3000   Fax: (201) 804-9852         Release Date: June 4, 2001

                                                  Contact: Anne-Marie Hess
                                                           Director, Investor
                                                           Relations & Corporate
                                                           Communications
                                                           201-804-3062


                          CAMBREX CORPORATION COMPLETES
                               ACQUISITION OF THE
                          BIOPHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTION
                        BUSINESS OF BIO SCIENCE CONTRACT
                                PRODUCTION, CORP.

         East Rutherford, NJ - June 4, 2001 - Cambrex Corporation (NYSE:CBM)
announced today the completion of its acquisition of the Bio Science Contract
Production Corp. biopharmaceutical manufacturing business in Baltimore,
Maryland. The business involves the cGMP manufacture of purified bulk biologics
and pharmaceutical ingredients. Cambrex Bio Science Inc., a Cambrex subsidiary
will operate the business.

         The completion of this asset purchase provides Cambrex with a
state-of-the-art biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility containing four
bioprocessing and purification suites for a variety of therapeutic and
diagnostic biopharmaceutical products including recombinant proteins, enzymes,
plasmid DNA, monoclonal antibodies, and vaccines for clinical and commercial
requirements. The Company is in the process of expanding capacity for microbial
and mammalian cell production of additional biotherapeutics. The facility has
been successfully inspected by the U.S. FDA and EMEA (European Agency for the
Evaluation of Medicinal Products).


                                       4
   2

         The business currently has projects with approximately 10 customers,
primarily under long-term contracts, and a strong pipeline of new projects. Year
2001 sales revenue targets are $35 million reflecting an approximate increase of
75% over the prior year. For 2002-2005, annual sales growth is targeted in the
20-30% range. The business is expected to be accretive to earnings, including
amortization of goodwill, in 2001.

         James A. Mack, Cambrex President and Chief Executive Officer said "the
business is an excellent addition to the Company's offerings of products and
services to the life sciences industry. This acquisition further implements, not
only our biotechnology growth strategy, but Cambrex's overall strategy to be a
broad range pharmaceutical partner, supplying intermediates and active
ingredients and providing services to speed therapeutics to market. With the
many biotherapeutics already in clinical trials, we are excited about the growth
opportunities in the biopharmaceutical market, as well as the complement of the
Bio Science business to our expertise in cell culture and media optimization."
Mr. Mack further stated, "I am very pleased that we have been able to retain all
key employees of the business. With the addition of Jacques Rubin, founder & CEO
of Bio Science and his talented group of employees to the Cambrex Team, we are
gaining valuable resources and expertise."

         Various statements made within this press release may constitute
"forward-looking statements" for purposes of the Securities and Exchange
Commission's "safe harbor" provisions under the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995 and Rule 3B-6 under The Exchange Act. The forward-looking
statements contained herein involve risks and uncertainties that could cause
results to differ materially from the Company's expectations.

         Cambrex Corporation provides products and services to the life sciences
industry.

                                      # # #

                                       5