March 1997
Company Founded
BioMarin was founded in Novato, California, with an initial focus on leveraging its proprietary enzyme technology to develop therapies for genetic conditions and other diseases.
BioMarin is a leading, global rare disease biotechnology company focused on delivering medicines for people living with genetically defined conditions.
Founded in 1997, we have a proven track record of innovation, with eight commercial therapies and a strong clinical and preclinical pipeline. Using a distinctive approach to drug discovery and development, BioMarin seeks to unleash the full potential of genetic science by pursuing category-defining medicines that have a profound impact on patients.
As we have looked to expand our impact, our approach to cutting-edge science has remained the same. We enlist the best of the best – people with the right technical expertise and a relentless drive to solve real problems – and create an environment that empowers our teams to pursue bold, innovative science. Our work is deeply rooted in genetic insights, meaning we target the underlying genetic changes or proximal molecular mechanisms of disease.
With this distinctive approach to drug discovery, we’ve produced a diverse pipeline of commercial, clinical and preclinical candidates that have well-understood biology and provide an opportunity to be first-to-market or offer a substantial benefit over existing therapeutic options.
March 1997
BioMarin was founded in Novato, California, with an initial focus on leveraging its proprietary enzyme technology to develop therapies for genetic conditions and other diseases.
December 1997
BioMarin initiated its first clinical trial to evaluate a potential treatment a form of mucopolysaccharidosis.
July 1999
BioMarin completed its initial public offering. Since a large number of early investors were based in Europe, the company was listed on both the Swiss SWX Exchange and the Nasdaq National Market.
April 2000
The FDA granted marketing authorization for BioMarin’s enzyme replacement therapy for the treatment of a form of mucopolysaccharidosis. The medicine was approved in Europe that June.
May 2005
BioMarin’s Board of Directors elected Jean-Jacques Bienaimé as the company’s Chief Executive Officer, a role he would hold for more than 18 years.
May 2005
The FDA approved BioMarin’s first independently developed and commercialized medicine, and the first authorized treatment for a second form of mucopolysaccharidosis.
2006
The company established BioMarin Europe Ltd., headquartered in London, initially with offices in Spain, Switzerland and Italy. The company now operates in more than 70 countries around the world.
December 2007
The FDA approved the first therapy for the treatment of a rare metabolic condition.
August-November 2011
The company completed the purchase of a manufacturing facility in Shanbally, Ireland, and in November, the FDA approved the expansion of BioMarin’s biologics manufacturing facility in Novato, California.
February 2013
BioMarin announced it had licensed the program from University College London and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This would lead to a product approval approximately 10 years later.
February 2014
The FDA approved BioMarin’s therapy for the treatment of another form of mucopolysaccharidosis.
2016
Expanding on its decade-long track record of supporting eligible people with rare diseases in gaining access to the company’s medicines, the BioMarin RareConnections program consolidated these efforts under one expanded program for people in the United States.
April 2017
The FDA approved BioMarin’s medicine for the treatment of an ultra-rare form of Batten disease.
May 2018
The FDA approved the first enzyme replacement therapy to target the underlying cause of a rare metabolic condition.
November 2021
The FDA approved BioMarin’s therapy for the treatment a form of skeletal dysplasia. It was the first medicine authorized for the treatment of this growth-related condition.
August 2022
The European Commission approved BioMarin’s first gene therapy for the treatment of an inheritable bleeding disorder.
June 2023
The FDA approved BioMarin’s gene therapy for the treatment of an inheritable bleeding disorder.
December 2023
With the retirement of longtime BioMarin CEO Jean-Jacques Bienaimé, Alexander Hardy was named President and Chief Executive Officer.