PTC Therapeutics Announces Winners of Global Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Patient Group STRIVE Awards in Recognition of World Duchenne Awareness Day

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, N.J., Sept. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- PTC Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTCT) is pleased to announce the recipients of the Company's 2017 global STRIVE Awards (Strategies to Realize Innovation, Vision and Empowerment) program, designed to support nonprofit organizations serving the Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) community. The announcement is made as the international DMD community marks World Duchenne Awareness Day.

"This year's STRIVE for DMD winners all submitted innovative, creative and passionate project proposals that aspire to enhancing the experiences of the Duchenne community. We are pleased to be able to provide these organizations with support to bring these brilliant projects to life," said Stuart W. Peltz, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, PTC Therapeutics, Inc.

The impact of the STRIVE Awards will be felt across three different continents, with awards granted to patient organizations in Brazil, the Netherlands and the United States.

Brazil: Associação Baiana de Distrofia Muscular (ABDM) will launch CPK para Alertar!, a media campaign to encourage parents and pediatricians to support early diagnosis of DMD via CPK tests

Brazil: Association of Family Members, Friends and Patients with Severe Diseases (AFAG) will run a 'National DMD Seminar Circuit' to share the latest information on the treatment of DMD to empower patients, families and healthcare professionals

Netherlands: UPPMD Data Foundation will launch a digital platform to promote patient identification, as well as interconnectivity and communication between patients and DMD healthcare professionals, researchers and patient organizations in Europe

United States: Beauhawks Foundation will run Dancing for Duchenne, a school outreach program and community event to promote understanding, acceptance and inclusion of those affected by DMD

United States: Greg Marzolf Jr. Foundation will create a DMD patient and community cookbook featuring recipes and personal stories of patients and families affected by DMD to promote healthy eating amongst the DMD community and raise awareness

Award entries were submitted by 32 organizations from around the world. Each of the winning organizations will receive a grant to make their proposed project a reality. An independent panel of external experts with knowledge in rare diseases, patient advocacy and funding initiatives judged entries for innovation, vision and empowerment.

The judges were impressed by the high standard of submissions. "There were some very inventive and collaborative proposals this year. These awards have provided a meaningful way for organizations throughout the world to implement innovative programs," said Kari Luther Rosbeck. "The STRIVE grants are aiding the grass roots efforts that are essential for the community," added Joline Dalton.

"The enthusiasm and commitment of the non-profit organizations who entered the STRIVE for DMD 2017 awards was astounding," said Mary Frances Harmon, Vice President, Corporate Relations, PTC Therapeutics, Inc. "PTC is committed to supporting people affected by DMD and look forward to witnessing the positive impact that this years' projects will have on the Duchenne community."

DMD is a rare genetic disorder that results in progressive muscle weakness from early childhood, with subsequent loss of lower and then upper body function. Most children with DMD are wheelchair-bound by their early teens. PTC established the STRIVE awards program to support initiatives that will benefit the DMD community by increasing awareness, diagnosis and education, and fostering the development of future patient advocates.

About STRIVE Awards Program

PTC began the STRIVE Awards program for DMD in 2015. For further information about the program and each award recipient, please visit the STRIVE website: www.ptcbio.com/en/about-ptc/ptc-strive-awards-program/.

About Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Primarily affecting males, Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a rare and fatal genetic disorder that results in progressive muscle weakness from early childhood and leads to premature death in the mid-twenties due to heart and respiratory failure. It is a progressive muscle disorder caused by the lack of functional dystrophin protein. Dystrophin is critical to the structural stability of skeletal, diaphragm, and heart muscles. Patients with DMD can lose the ability to walk as early as age ten, followed by loss of the use of their arms. DMD patients subsequently experience life-threatening lung complications, requiring the need for ventilation support, and heart complications in their late teens and twenties. It is estimated that a nonsense mutation is the cause of DMD in approximately 13 percent of patients.

About PTC Therapeutics

PTC is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel medicines using our expertise in RNA biology. PTC's internally discovered pipeline addresses multiple therapeutic areas, including rare disorders and oncology. PTC has discovered all of its compounds currently under development using its proprietary technologies. Since its founding nearly 20 years ago, PTC's mission has focused on developing treatments to fundamentally change the lives of patients living with rare genetic disorders. The company was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in South Plainfield, New Jersey. For more information on the company, please visit our website www.ptcbio.com.

In addition, PTC has launched its global disease awareness website, DuchenneAndYou.com to engage the broader DMD community and provide valuable information regarding the disease state.   

For More Information:

Investors:
Emily Hill
+ 1 (908) 912-9327
[email protected]

Media:
Jane Baj
+1 (908) 912-9167 
[email protected]

Patient Organizations:
Mary Frances Harmon
+1 (908) 912-9205 or (866) 282-5873 
[email protected]

SOURCE PTC Therapeutics, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.ptcbio.com