PTC Therapeutics reports progress in PKU treatment study

Published 20/03/2025, 13:14
PTC Therapeutics reports progress in PKU treatment study

WARREN, N.J. - PTC Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTCT), a biopharmaceutical company with a market capitalization of $4.49 billion, has presented new findings from its Phase 3 APHENITY trial and subsequent studies at the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting, highlighting advances in the treatment of phenylketonuria (PKU) with sepiapterin. According to InvestingPro data, the company’s stock has shown remarkable momentum, gaining 93% over the past year and currently trading near its 52-week high. The data suggest that a significant majority of PKU patients could benefit from dietary liberalization while maintaining blood phenylalanine (Phe) control with sepiapterin treatment.

The APHENITY open-label extension study showed over 97% of subjects could increase their dietary Phe intake, with a mean increase of 126% in protein intake. In addition, 66% of participants in the Phe tolerance sub-study achieved or surpassed the recommended daily allowance of protein for individuals without PKU. While the clinical results are promising, InvestingPro analysis indicates the company maintains strong liquidity with a current ratio of 2.35, though it’s currently not profitable. Investors can access 8 additional exclusive ProTips and comprehensive financial analysis through InvestingPro’s detailed research reports. Genetic variant analysis indicated that over 70% of subjects had genotypes consistent with classical PKU, underscoring the treatment’s potential across different patient segments.

Sepiapterin, known as PTC923 in its oral formulation, aims to enhance the function of the phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) enzyme through dual mechanisms. It serves as a precursor to tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), a cofactor essential for PAH, and acts as a pharmacological chaperone to correct enzyme misfolding. This dual action is intended to reduce blood Phe levels in a broad spectrum of PKU patients.

PKU is a rare genetic disorder that impairs the body’s ability to break down Phe, leading to potentially severe neurological impairments if not managed effectively. The condition affects approximately 58,000 people worldwide and is typically diagnosed through newborn screening programs.

PTC Therapeutics, a global biopharmaceutical company, focuses on developing treatments for rare disorders. The company’s strategy is to leverage its scientific expertise and commercial infrastructure to bring transformative medicines to patients with unmet medical needs. With annual revenue of $806.78 million and analyst price targets ranging from $42 to $113, the company’s financial trajectory remains a subject of interest to investors. For deeper insights into PTC Therapeutics’ financial health and growth potential, investors can access the comprehensive Pro Research Report, available exclusively on InvestingPro.

The recent data from the APHENITY trial support the potential of sepiapterin to aid in the management of PKU by allowing patients to adopt less restrictive diets while controlling their blood Phe levels. These findings are based on a press release statement from PTC Therapeutics.

In other recent news, PTC Therapeutics reported its Q4 2024 earnings, revealing a slight miss in earnings per share (EPS) but meeting revenue expectations. The company posted an EPS of -$0.85, compared to the forecasted -$0.79, while revenue came in at $213 million, closely aligning with the anticipated $213.45 million. For the full year 2024, revenue exceeded guidance, reaching $877 million. BofA Securities upgraded PTC Therapeutics’ stock from Underperform to Neutral, raising the price target to $55, following the FDA’s expedited review of vatiquinone, a drug aimed at treating Friedrich’s ataxia. Scotiabank initiated coverage on PTC Therapeutics with a Sector Perform rating and a $55 price target, suggesting the company is fairly valued. Cantor Fitzgerald maintained an Overweight rating with a price target of $113, reflecting confidence in the company’s growth potential despite slightly lower revenue projections. These developments indicate a period of active engagement with regulatory bodies and analysts, positioning PTC Therapeutics for potential future growth.

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