On April 30, 2020 PTC Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTCT) reported a corporate update and reported financial results for the first quarter ending March 31, 2020 (Press release, PTC Therapeutics, APR 30, 2020, View Source [SID1234556875]).

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"PTC continued to execute on our strategic priorities including the development and commercial fronts in the first quarter highlighted by DMD franchise revenue growth and strong risdiplam results," said Stuart Peltz, Ph.D., CEO of PTC Therapeutics. "The breadth of positive clinical risdiplam data reinforces the global commercial competitive profile of this therapy, which has the potential to be the first and only at-home SMA treatment, a critical advantage in the COVID-19 environment. We look forward to a number of potential value-creating catalysts including the risdiplam PDUFA date, and multiple clinical milestones in the upcoming months."

Key First Quarter and Other Corporate Updates:

Total net product revenues were $68.2 million across our commercial portfolio in the first quarter of 2020 representing 28% year over year growth. Translarna (ataluren) net product revenues were $40.5 million for the first quarter of 2020 and Emflaza (deflazacort) net product revenues were $27.5 million for the first quarter of 2020.
PTC announced the appointments of Matthew Klein, M.D., to Chief Development Officer and Eric Pauwels to Chief Business Officer.
Due to the uncertainty of the duration and severity of the COVID-19 impact, PTC is withdrawing financial guidance for the 2020 fiscal year.
Compelling Data Across Patients with Type 1, 2 & 3 SMA

The FIREFISH Part 2 data in type 1 Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) patients demonstrated achievement of motor milestones and motor function improvements not observed in natural history. The study met its primary endpoint (p<0.0001), with 12 of 41 patients sitting, and all of its key secondary endpoints. Safety data was consistent with the known safety profile. There were no new safety signals and risdiplam was generally well tolerated.
The clinical data from Part 2 of the pivotal SUNFISH study evaluating risdiplam in people aged 2-25 years with non-ambulatory type 2 and type 3 SMA demonstrated statistically significant results in primary and key secondary endpoints. Safety for risdiplam was consistent with its known safety profile and no new safety signals were identified.
Risdiplam clinical studies are ongoing, including RAINBOWFISH and JEWELFISH. When necessary, patients are receiving drug through contactless home delivery to ensure study compliance.
Earlier this year, Roche opened early access programs in the United States (U.S.) and European countries for type 1 SMA patients. Recently, Roche announced that the program will be expanded to include patients with type 2 SMA in countries where applicable, at the moment of filing of the regulatory application for risdiplam. In addition, in response to requests received as well as to the unique pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic, Roche has decided to amend the programs for type 1 and type 2 patients whose current treatment have been interrupted as a direct consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date for risdiplam is now August 24, 2020, following the submission of additional data including SUNFISH Part 2.
Advancing Gene Therapy Platform

PTC now expects to file the biologics license application (BLA) submission with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the second half of 2020 for its gene therapy program for Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency. The study of the use of the commercial cannula in young patients has been delayed due to COVID-19.
The Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) process in the European Union (EU) for the AADC deficiency program is ongoing and PTC expects to receive the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) final opinion by the end of 2020.
For our Friedreich ataxia (FA) and Angelman syndrome gene therapy programs, COVID-19 has impacted multiple investigational new drug application (IND) enabling activities. Therefore, we now anticipate the IND filings will be delayed by at least one quarter and we will provide an update on timing as we better understand the impact of COVID-19.
Due to COVID-19, PTC has deferred certain capital expenditures related to our leased biologics facility in Hopewell Township, New Jersey and now anticipates that GMP manufacturing of clinical material at this facility will begin in early 2021.
Updates in PTC’s Diverse Product Pipeline

PTC now anticipates results from the U.S. Translarna dystrophin study in the third quarter of 2020. Due to COVID-19, the study site is currently closed to elective procedures, which includes those required to complete the dystrophin study.
The Huntington disease program remains on track to be in healthy volunteers prior to the end of 2020. A development candidate has been chosen and IND toxicology studies are ongoing.
PTC now expects to initiate potential registrational trials in its Bio-e platform with PTC743 in refractory mitochondrial epilepsy in the third quarter of 2020 and in Friedreich ataxia in the fourth quarter of 2020. The initiation of these studies has been delayed due to COVID-19.
The Phase 1 trial of PTC857, which is being developed for GBA Parkinson’s disease, remains on track to start in the third quarter, with no current delays due to COVID-19.
In the interest of the health and safety of employees and guests, PTC has postponed the Analyst Day previously scheduled for mid-June. We plan to host virtual deep dives on our platforms throughout the year.
Financial Highlights:

Total revenues were $68.3 million for the first quarter of 2020, compared to total revenues of $53.6 million for the first quarter of 2019.
Translarna net product revenues were $40.5 million for the first quarter of 2020, compared to $35.3 million for the first quarter of 2019. These results reflect an increase in net product sales in existing markets as well as continued geographic expansion into new territories.
Emflaza net product revenues were $27.5 million for the first quarter of 2020, compared to $17.8 million for the first quarter of 2019. These results reflect new patient growth driven in part by diagnostic and educational efforts as well as ongoing operational improvements.
Generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP) research and development (R&D) expenses were $90.1 million for the first quarter of 2020, compared to $52.6 million for the first quarter of 2019. The increase in R&D expenses reflects costs associated with advancing the gene therapy and Bio-e platforms and increased investment in research programs as well as advancements of the clinical pipeline.
Non-GAAP R&D expenses were $81.9 million for the first quarter of 2020, excluding $8.2 million in non-cash stock-based compensation expense, compared to $47.9 million for the first quarter of 2019, excluding $4.7 million in non-cash stock-based compensation expense.
GAAP selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were $58.2 million for the first quarter of 2020, compared to $40.6 million for the first quarter of 2019, reflecting continued investment to support our commercial activities including our expanding commercial portfolio.
Non-GAAP SG&A expenses were $51.2 million for the first quarter of 2020, excluding $7.0 million in non-cash stock-based compensation expense, compared to $36.0 million for the first quarter of 2019, excluding $4.6 million in non-cash stock-based compensation expense.
Change in the fair value of deferred and contingent consideration was $0.9 million for the first quarter of 2020, compared to $21.2 million for the first quarter of 2019. The change in fair value of deferred and contingent consideration is related to the fair valuation of potential future consideration to be paid to former equity holders of Agilis Biotherapeutics, Inc. (Agilis) in connection with PTC’s acquisition of Agilis, which closed in August 2018.
In discussions with certain former shareholders of Agilis, PTC has agreed to exchange their pro rata share of specific future cash milestone payments in the aggregate amount of $225 million for a mixture of cash and equity. Under this agreement, which the former shareholders and PTC entered into on April 29th, PTC has pre-paid 94% of time-based cash milestones due in August 2020, and has agreed to issue 2,821,176 shares of common stock in exchange for 94% of future cash milestones for the AADCd BLA approval by the FDA and the receipt of a Priority Review Voucher in connection with that approval.
Net loss was $112.7 million for the first quarter of 2020, compared to net loss of $72.1 million for the first quarter of 2019.
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $595.9 million at March 31, 2020, compared to $686.6 million at December 31, 2019.
Shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2020 were 62,758,520.
Due to the uncertainty with respect to the duration, nature and extent of impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and responsive measures relating thereto, we cannot be certain that the pandemic will not cause us to experience further delays to the timelines set forth above or other negative additional impacts.

Today’s Conference Call and Webcast Reminder:
Today’s conference call will take place at 4:30 pm (ET) and can be access by dialing (877) 303-9216 (domestic) or (973) 935-8152 (international) five minutes prior to the start of the call and providing the passcode 8267466. A live, listen-only webcast of the conference call can be accessed on the investor relations section of the PTC website at www.ptcbio.com. The accompanying slide presentation will be posted on the investor relations section of the PTC website. A webcast replay of the call will be available approximately two hours after completion of the call and will be archived on the company’s website for 30 days following the call.