Roche pays $30 million up front for preclinical rare disease programme

Roche has signed an exclusive worldwide licence for PTC Therapeutics' spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) programme, which includes three compounds currently in preclinical development, as well as potential back-up compounds. PTC receives $30 million as an upfront payment, up to $460 million in development and commercialisation milestones, and up to double-digit royalties on commercial sales.