North Bay Business Journal

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.

Buck, BioMarin in joint research effort

NOVATO – The Buck Institute for Age Research and BioMarin Pharmaceutical are collaborating on what could be a breakthrough therapy for a most feared disease.

Fast Growing Companies in 2010

Three of Sonoma County’s newest tech companies — Raydiance, Enphase Energy and Métier — have widely diverse products: ultra-short pulse lasers, microinverters for the solar industry and project portfolio management software.

BioMarin Pharmaceuticals, the Buck Institute for Age Research and TriVascular are expanding research, products and staff.

Nearly every sector within health care in the North Bay is undergoing rapid expansion, reflecting a nationwide trend that shows little sign of a respite. This is just a sampling of the quickly growing health care companies and providers across the North Bay, from corporate giants to rural clinics.

La Tavola, ProSight, Central Payment add space, markets; Frank-Lin, Kiewit to move to the North Bay: From linen rentals to financial transaction processing to insurance underwriting to alcoholic beverage production to heavy construction, several companies in various industries have relocated or expanded in the North Bay this year.

BioMarin, Buck Institute, TriVascular in growth mode

NOVATO and SANTA ROSA — BioMarin Pharmaceuticals, the Buck Institute for Age Research and TriVascular are expanding research, products and staff. Each has innovative products either on the market or under development, with a healthy cushion of capital for future growth.

BioMarin acquires ZyStor in $115 million deal

NOVATO — BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (Nasdaq: BMRN) today said it acquired privately held biotechnology company ZyStor Therapeutics Inc. in a deal valued at $115 million.

BioMarin Pharmaceutical expands in Novato

NOVATO – BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. is expanding across Hwy. 101 into 20,000 square feet on Wood Hollow Lane.

Spotlight: Leaders in Human Resources

Human resources leaders selected from the North Bay’s 10 largest employers from each county and the region’s staffing companies. Professionals listed alphabetically.

BioMarin launches drug in Europe

NOVATO — BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (Nasdaq: BMRN) announced today that Firdapse is now commercially available in Germany and the UK.

For the treatment of the rare autoimmune disease Lambert Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome, Firdapse is expected to be in all major European markets by the end of 2010.

BioMarin acquires LEAD Therapeutics

NOVATO — BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (Nasdaq: BMRN) said it plans to acquire LEAD Therapeutics Inc. of San Bruno in a stock deal worth $18 million up front and up to $97 million as the drug is submitted for government review and later released.

2010 Trends: Tech enters year with momentum

NORTH BAY – Economic woes will continue to flatten profits and impact staff in the high-tech and biotech sectors, but investors haven’t deserted the North Bay.

BioMarin acquires Huxley Pharmaceuticals

NOVATO — BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (NASDAQ: BMRN) announced today that it has acquired Huxley Pharmaceuticals inc. for $15 million, with further payments to Huxley shareholders of up to $50 million if certain milestones are reached.

BioMarin latest partner on Dominican master’s

BioMarin Pharmaceutical and Dominican University have partnered to offer research-based master’s of science degrees administered by the college.

BioMarin, doubling manufacturing capacity, sees quarterly earnings decline

NOVATO — BioMarin Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: BMRN) said today investments made to double manufacturing capacity caused it to post lower second-quarter profit as operating expenses jumped 32 percent during the quarter.

BioMarin hits stride, adding staff, revenues

NOVATO — BioMarin (Nasdaq: BMRN) has added 100 employees during the last 12 months and looks to expand its 700-member staff even more by 2010, said CEO Jean Jacques Bienaimé.