SOUTH PLAINFIELD, N.J., Feb. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- PTC Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTCT) is delighted to announce the launch of the fourth annual STRIVE (Strategies to Realize Innovation, Vision and Empowerment) grant award program for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). The STRIVE Awards provide funds to patient advocacy organizations to develop unique and collaborative programs that will make meaningful contributions to the rare disease community by increasing awareness, diagnosis, education or fostering development of future patient advocates.

"Since its inaugural year in 2015, the awards program has supported 14 patient advocacy organizations around the world that are not only committed to serving the DMD community, but pushing the boundaries in patient care by encouraging novel, innovative ways to deliver improvements in patient empowerment and information," said Mary Frances Harmon, Senior Vice President, Corporate Relations, PTC Therapeutics, Inc. "We are excited to see the novel and creative proposals that are submitted this year."

The program is aimed at improving the diagnosis and treatment of DMD patients, increasing the visibility of this devastating rare disorder and educating the general public and healthcare professionals, as well as identifying and fostering the next generation of Duchenne patient advocates. The application process for the program is now open and the deadline for submission of proposals is April 30. Awards will be announced in conjunction with World Duchenne Awareness Day.

For more information around the criteria for applications, selection process and to apply, please visit the STRIVE Awards Program's website: www.ptcbio.com/en/strive

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 all muscles, including 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. More information on the signs and symptoms of DMD can be found at: www.duchenneandyou.com

About PTC Therapeutics, Inc.
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 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

For More Information:

Investors:
Emily Hill
+ 1 (908) 912-9327
ehill@ptcbio.com

Media:
Jane Baj
+1 (908) 912-9167
jbaj@ptcbio.com

Patient Organizations:
Mary Frances Harmon
+1 (908) 912-9205 or (866) 282-5873
mharmon@ptcbio.com 

Forward Looking Statements:
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than those of historical fact contained in this release are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the future expectations, plans and prospects for PTC. Other forward-looking statements may be identified by the words "plan," "guidance," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "predict," "project," "target," "potential," "will," "would," "could," "should," "continue," and similar expressions. PTC's actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements it makes as a result of a variety of risks and uncertainties, including the factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of PTC's most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as well as any updates to these risk factors filed from time to time in PTC's other filings with the SEC. You are urged to carefully consider all such factors. The forward-looking statements contained herein represent PTC's views only as of the date of this press release and PTC does not undertake or plan to update or revise any such forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in plans, prospects, assumptions, estimates or projections, or other circumstances occurring after the date of this release except as required by law.

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SOURCE PTC Therapeutics, Inc.