PTC Therapeutics, Inc. and Genzyme, a Sanofi company, announced the restructuring of their collaboration. Under the original agreement, PTC held commercial rights for the US and Canada and Genzyme held commercial rights in all other countries. Under the restructured agreement, PTC regains worldwide rights to ataluren and Genzyme retains an option to commercialize ataluren in indications other than nonsense mutation Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy (nmDBMD) outside the US and Canada. PTC will continue to conduct worldwide development in all indications with a near-term focus on late-stage programmes in nmDBMD and nonsense mutation cystic fibrosis.

"We have been very pleased with our long-standing relationship with PTC," said David Meeker, M.D., chief operating officer, Genzyme. "The decision to restructure this agreement is a result of a recent portfolio assessment, and will enable us to intensify our focus on other areas of development within Genzyme where we believe we have the best ability to develop therapies to benefit the rare disease community. However, our option to reengage the collaboration reflects our belief in the potential of this approach for the treatment of nonsense mutation genetic disorders. While we will no longer be involved in advancing ataluren in nmDBMD, we remain committed to the neuromuscular community."

"PTC and Genzyme share a strong commitment for bringing treatments to patients with rare and life-threatening genetic disorders," said Stuart Peltz, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer, PTC Therapeutics, Inc. "We have benefited greatly from our partnership with Genzyme and we look forward to rapidly advancing the development of ataluren."

An investigational new drug discovered by PTC Therapeutics, ataluren is a protein restoration therapy designed to enable the formation of a functioning protein in patients with genetic disorders caused by a nonsense mutation. A nonsense mutation is an alteration in the genetic code that prematurely halts the synthesis of an essential protein. The resulting disorder is determined by which protein cannot be expressed in its entirety and is no longer functional, such as dystrophin in nmDBMD. The development of ataluren has been supported by grants from Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics Inc. (the nonprofit affiliate of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation); Muscular Dystrophy Association; FDA's Office of Orphan Products Development; National Center for Research Resources; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; and Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy.

PTC is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of orally administered small-molecule drugs that target post-transcriptional control processes.

One of the world's leading biotechnology companies, Genzyme is dedicated to making a major positive impact on the lives of people with serious diseases. Since its founding in 1981, the company has introduced breakthrough treatments that have provided new hope for patients.