PTC Therapeutics Announces Winners of the Global Cystic Fibrosis Patient Group Awards

STRIVE Awards Program Recognizes Excellence and Innovation in the Cystic Fibrosis Community

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May 16, 2016, 08:00 ET

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, N.J., May 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- PTC Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTCT) is pleased to announce the recipients of the Company's global STRIVE Awards (Strategies to Realize Innovation, Vision and Empowerment) program, designed to support nonprofit organizations serving the cystic fibrosis (CF) community. The announcement coincides with National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month celebrated throughout the month of May.

"We are pleased to announce the winners of the 2016 STRIVE Awards for cystic fibrosis," said Stuart W. Peltz, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, PTC Therapeutics, Inc. "This global program recognizes the efforts of patient advocacy groups and aims to support them in the work they do to serve the needs of individuals and families affected by this rare disease. Through STRIVE, we want to encourage groups across the world to submit novel and creative proposals that will address the unmet needs of the community."

The impact of the STRIVE Awards will be felt around the world with awards granted to patient organizations in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Ireland.

United Kingdom	The Cystic Fibrosis Trust's Youth Empowerment Officer will create resources and services to support and inspire young people to live their lives fully and spontaneously, without compromising their health.
Sweden	The Swedish Cystic Fibrosis Association will create the Swedish CF Olympics, where patients and families get together for a day of fun that strengthens the CF community.
Italy	Lega Italiana Fibrosi Cistica Onlus will introduce a tele-monitoring program for pre- and post-lung transplant patients in Lombardia.
Ireland	Cystic Fibrosis Ireland will provide an exercise plan to encourage and empower people with CF to get active and improve their health.

For complete information about STRIVE and each award recipient, please visit the STRIVE website: http://www.ptcbio.com/en/about-ptc/ptc-strive-awards-program/

CF is a rare, genetic disorder that causes persistent lung infections and progressively limits the ability to breathe. It results in a buildup of mucus in the lungs, pancreas and other organs. PTC established the STRIVE awards program to support initiatives that will benefit the CF community by increasing awareness, diagnosis and education, and fostering the development of future patient advocates. An independent panel of external experts with knowledge in rare diseases, patient advocacy and funding initiatives judged entries for feasibility, creativity, budget, impact and sustainability.

"We have a tremendous amount of respect for the important services and programs provided by these organizations for the cystic fibrosis community," said Mary Frances Harmon, Global Head of Patient Advocacy, PTC Therapeutics, Inc. "PTC shares the same commitment as each of these organizations with patients at the center of everything we do. We are delighted to have received such a positive response from the community, and look forward to seeing these initiatives make a real impact on the lives of people living with cystic fibrosis."

ABOUT CYSTIC FIBROSIS
Cystic fibrosis is among the most common life-threatening genetic disorders worldwide. It is caused by defects in a single gene known as the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, or CFTR. The CFTR gene encodes the CFTR protein, which is used by the body to transport chloride across cell membranes. Genetic mutations that result in the loss of function of the CFTR protein cause the body to produce abnormally thick and sticky mucus that clogs multiple organs, including the lungs, pancreas and liver. In particular, the absence or very low levels of CFTR leads to progressive loss of lung function, potentially life-threatening lung infections, permanent pancreatic damage and malnutrition because digestive enzymes from the pancreas do not reach the intestines to help break down and absorb food. The average age of death for CF patients is in their mid-thirties.

ABOUT PTC THERAPEUTICS
PTC is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of orally administered, proprietary small molecule drugs targeting an area of RNA biology we refer to as post-transcriptional control. Post-transcriptional control processes are the regulatory events that occur in cells during and after a messenger RNA, or mRNA, molecule is copied from DNA through the transcription process. 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. PTC plans to continue to develop these compounds both on its own and through selective collaboration arrangements with leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. For more information on the company, please visit our website www.ptcbio.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

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

Media:
Justine O'Malley
+1 (908) 912-9551
[email protected]

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

SOURCE PTC Therapeutics, Inc.