North Bay Business Journal

BioMarin to move ‘several hundred’ to San Rafael

SAN RAFAEL — Novato-based BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (Nasdaq: BMRN) today said it plans to relocate several hundred employees from its Bel Marin Keys headquarters plant to downtown San Rafael by the end of this year.

BioMarin gets FDA approval for Novato expansion

NOVATO — BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (Nasdaq: BMRN) has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a manufacturing facility expansion in Novato that the drug makers says will support up to $1 billion in revenue for its growing enzyme replacement therapy portfolio.

BioMarin pays $81 million to complete buy-back of intellectual property

BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (Nasdaq: BMRN) today said it made an upfront payment of $81 million to complete the buy back of certain intellectual property from SA Pathology, a unit of the Central Adelaide Local Health Network in Australia.The transaction will generate between $10 to $15 million a year in cash, with no incremental operating costs, according to Jean-Jaques Bienaime, chief executive officer of BioMarin.

Fast growing companies: Changes, innovation in health care driving growth

As the health care landscape across the North Bay — indeed, across much of the country — undergoes rapid transformation, many organizations are already growing in anticipation of the changes that lay ahead. … The Marin-Sonoma IPA changed its name as a reflection of its growth further into Sonoma County — when earlier this spring it grew from some 300 physicians to nearly 500 in a matter of months. … Another fast-growing side of health care is the vast world of biotech. And North Bay companies are no exception from this growing trend: Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, BioMarin Pharmaceutical. … The Doctors Company, a Napa-based physician and medical liability insurer, increased its nationwide membership by 27 percent this year when it acquired FPIC Insurance Group, a major publicly-traded medical insurance group based in Florida.

BioMarin second-quarter loss expands as product pipeline fills

NOVATO — BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (Nasdaq: BMRN) today announced its second-quarter net loss expanded to $5.1 million from $500,000 in the second quarter of 2010.

Health Care: Groups collaborate on 20th HeartWorks Fitness Center

The Northern California Center for Well-Being, along with the Northern California Medical Associates, today celebrated the 20th anniversary of the HeartWorks Fitness Center, a cardiovascular rehabilitation program. The Center for Well-Being, which focuses on wellness and preventative care, and NCMA, a practice of cardiologists, have collaborated on the program made possible by ongoing support from [...]

Manufacturing Awards 2011: Education: BioMarin: As pharmaceutical company grows, so do education efforts

NOVATO — In just over 10 years, Novato-based BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. has become one of the top pharmaceutical manufacturers, not just in the North Bay but in the industry in general.

Spotlight on Facilities Managers in the North Bay

Editor’s note: This is the Business Journal’s first Spotlight on Facilities Managers in the North Bay. According to the International Facility Management Association, professionals in this job usually are responsible for compliance with laws and regulations on real estate, efficient operations of buildings to limit waste in natural and human resources, safety for employees and environmental sustainability.

“People, place, process, technology,” is the association’s catchphrase for such a position. The following are facility managers identified from among the largest public and private North Bay employers.

BioMarin to buy plant in Ireland for expansion

NOVATO — BioMarin Pharmaceutical has entered into an agreement to buy a 133,000-square-foot Pfizer manufacturing plant in Cork, Ireland, for $48.5 million.

BioMarin begins phase 3 drug trial in Europe

NOVATO — BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (Nasdaq: BMRN) today announced the start of phase 3 trial in Europe of a treatment for a rare immune system disease, Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome, or LEMS.

Marin forecast sees opportunity for biotech

Marin County’s economic recovery is under way slowly with some sectors improving but employment lagging, according to the Spring Economic Bulletin released tonight by the Marin Economic Forum.

BioMarin first-quarter loss widens despite ‘strong’ commercial sales

NOVATO — BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (Nasdaq: BRMN) today reported a first-quarter net loss of $4.4 million, compared with $1.2 million in net income a year ago.

Retired BioMarin drug researcher launches Ultragenyx

NOVATO — A former BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. drug developer has started a new company to create therapies for rare diseases.

BioMarin opts out of Aldurazyme control

NOVATO — BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. will allow its marketing partnership for the drug Aldurazyme to remain in place with Sanofi-Aventis following the French drug maker’s $20 billion acquisition of Genzyme Corp.

Marin County office: Outlook brighter than in two years

The rough ride endured by the Marin County commercial market in the late part of the decade got smoother in 2010. This trend continues in 2011.

BioMarin reports first $100-million-plus quarter

NOVATO — BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (Nasdaq: BMRN) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2010.

GAAP net loss was $12.2 million ($0.11 per diluted share) for the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to GAAP net income of $4.7 million ($0.05 per diluted share) for the fourth quarter of 2009.

BioMarin expands as it tests new drugs

NOVATO — Construction crews have been busy preparing BioMarin Pharmaceutical’s facilities in the city for a doubling of production to deliver treatments for testing and sale as well as hiring at least a couple of hundred more employees.

BioMarin starts pivotal clinical trial for GALNS treatment

NOVATO — BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (Nasdaq: BMRN) today announced it started a phase 3 trial for N-acetylgalactosamine 6-sulfatase, named GALNS or BMN 110. It’s intended for the treatment of the lysosomal storage disorder Mucopolysaccharidosis type IVA, or MPS IVA, also called Morquio A syndrome.

BioMarin posts rise in profit, revenue

NOVATO – BioMarin Pharmaceutical posted $217.3 million in profit for the third quarter.

Commercial real estate sees some key leases, but vacancies remain elevated

Sonoma County office vacancy rates decreased in the third quarter to 22.7 percent 13.7 million square feet from a peak of 24.8 percent at the end of last year and was about the same as it was in the fall of 2009, according to Keegan & Coppin.