PTC Enters Into Research, Licensing Agreement With Roche

PTC Therapeutics (PTC) has entered into an exclusive research collaboration and licensing agreement with Roche for the development of orally bioavailable small molecules utilizing PTC’s technology called Gene Expression Modulation by Small-molecules (GEMS).

The collaboration focuses initially on four CNS disease targets to be jointly selected. Under the terms of the agreement, Roche will make an upfront cash payment of $12m and fund PTC’s research efforts.

Subject to achievement of several successive milestones, there is the potential for PTC to earn up to $239m in research, development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments per target. PTC will also receive up to double digit royalties for all products resulting from this collaboration.

Roche has the option to add four targets to the collaboration across therapeutic areas, for additional cash payments.

Stuart Peltz, president and CEO of PTC, said: “We are excited to enter into this partnership with Roche. This alliance is part of our ongoing strategy to leverage the broad value of the GEMS technology beyond our core research areas. Together with Roche, we are well-positioned to pursue high-interest targets to address complex CNS disorders and bring therapeutic options for patients in need.”