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CENTER VALLEY, Pa., March 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Olympus, a leading global medtech company providing innovative solutions for medical and surgical procedures, announced today it applauds the new Obesity Bill of Rights . Continue Reading Olympus applauds the newly launched Obesity Bill of Rights and will support the initiative by working to build awareness and talking to its healthcare customers about this important campaign to counter bias and ageism in obesity care. Olympus will support the initiative by working to build awareness and talking to its healthcare customers about this important campaign to counter bias and ageism in obesity care. The program, spearheaded in January 2024 in the U.S. by the National Consumers League (NCL), a nonprofit consumer advocacy group, in conjunction with the National Council on Aging (NCOA), establishes a set of rights to "assure screening, diagnosis, counseling and effective treatment based on medical treatment guidelines." This ongoing effort to gather support is expected to culminate in a fully implemented Bill of Rights by Dec. 31, 2029. The NCL and NCOA are working at the grassroots, employer, state and federal levels on this effort to ensure equal access to care for all obesity patients. NCL and NCOA worked with health leaders and obesity specialists to draft these Bill of Rights tenets that are intended to change the narrative, such that the healthcare industry more effectively sees obesity as a treatable chronic disease that can be treated with the same "respect, attention and medical care" as other chronic conditions. Statistics regarding obesity are staggering: 108M people in the U.S. are considered obese, only 10% of whom get help from medical professionals and only 2% of whom are treated with new medications. More than 230 conditions are worsened by obesity. Obesity is connected to $1.73 trillion in annual medical costs in the U.S. 400K premature deaths annually are linked to obesity.1 "Olympus provides equipment to the surgical community that helps in the treatment of obesity, and statistics show that not enough people have access to this type of treatment," said Paul Skodny, Executive Director for Health Economics and Market Access at Olympus Corporation. "It is our hope that awareness of treatment options and equitable access and insurance coverage will help address the detrimental health impacts of obesity." Bariatric Surgery as a Solution for Weight Loss Because of recent pharmaceuticals' entry into the market, such as semaglutide-based medications, obesity treatment has been receiving more attention. Surgical treatment which can complement medical management, has a lengthy track record, having been available to patients for decades with favorable long-term outcomes.2 Studies show patients typically lose the most weight one to two years after bariatric surgery and see substantial improvements in obesity-related conditions. Despite the growing number of obesity-related health problems, fewer than 2% of those eligible for bariatric surgery elect to have it.3 Given these statistics, Olympus, maker of technologies for performing minimally invasive bariatric procedures, sought to understand the awareness level and concerns of eligible patients in a survey conducted in 20194: Marginal Awareness around Benefits: A little more than 50% of respondents demonstrated only marginal awareness that bariatric surgery causes hormonal changes that improve weight loss by maintaining or enhancing energy expenditure.5 Worry about Gaining Weight Back: 20% of respondents were avoiding bariatric surgery because of concerns about surgery complications and gaining the weight back. Awareness around Insurance Opportunities: 56% of respondents were aware that insurance covers bariatric surgery in most qualified cases.6 Surgical benefits are real and should be known to more patients. Studies show that: Patients may lose as much as 60% of excess weight six months after surgery, and 77% of excess weight as early as 12 months after surgery. On average, five years after surgery, patients maintain 50% of their excess weight loss.1 The majority of bariatric surgery patients with diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea experience remission of these obesity-related diseases.1 Statistically, the risk of death during weight-loss surgery procedures is less than 1 percent. All abdominal operations carry the risks of bleeding, infection in the incision, thrombophlebitis of legs (blood clots), lung problems (pneumonia, pulmonary embolisms), strokes or heart attacks, anesthetic complications and blockage or obstruction of the intestine. These risks are greater in patients with severe obesity.7 To learn more about Olympus' state-of-the-art technologies for performing minimally invasive bariatric surgeries, visit the Bariatrics product page. About Olympus At Olympus, we are committed to our purpose of making people's lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling. As a global medical technology company, we partner with healthcare professionals striving to provide best-in-class solutions and services for early detection, diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment, aiming to improve patient outcomes by elevating the standard of care in targeted disease states. For more than 100 years, Olympus has pursued a goal of contributing to society by producing products designed with the purpose of delivering optimal outcomes for its customers around the world. For more information, visit medical.olympusamerica.com. _______________________________ 1 Americans now have an Obesity Bill of Rights. NCLnet.org. . Published January 31, 2024. Accessed February 29, 2024. 2 Story of Obesity Surgery. asmbs.org. . Published 2023. Accessed February 29, 2024. 3 . February 27, 2020. Accessed February 29, 2024. 4 The Olympus-commissioned online survey was conducted mid-December 2019. 5 Public Education Committee. Benefits of Bariatric Surgery: ASMBS. American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. . Accessed February 29, 2024. 6 Manning S. How to get your health insurer to pay for your weight-loss surgery. Insure.com. . Published September 24, 2020. Accessed February 29, 2024. 7 Available Procedures. Yale New Haven Health. . Accessed March 15, 2024. SOURCE Olympus Corporation of the Americas

- BLA submitted to FDA for Upstaza™ for the treatment of AADC deficiency - - NDA to be submitted mid-year for Translarna™ based on FDA feedback - SOUTH PLAINFIELD, N.J., March 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- PTC Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTCT) today announced the submission of a BLA to the U.S. FDA for Upstaza™ (eladocagene exuparvovec), a gene therapy for the treatment of aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency. In addition, based on recent feedback from the FDA, PTC plans to re-submit an NDA for Translarna™ (ataluren) for the treatment of nonsense mutation Duchenne muscular dystrophy (nmDMD). PTC expects to make the NDA resubmission by mid-year. "We are excited to bring Upstaza one step closer to children in the United States with the highly mortal and fatal disease of AADC deficiency. The data collected to date continue to demonstrate the transformative clinical benefits the gene therapy provides to patients," said Matthew B. Klein, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of PTC Therapeutics. "In addition, we look forward to the Translarna NDA resubmission this summer. We know U.S. patients and families have been waiting for an approved therapy that specially targets nmDMD." In addition, the sepiapterin MAA for PKU remains on schedule for submission to the EMA by the end of this month. About Upstaza™ (eladocagene exuparvovec) Upstaza is a one-time gene replacement therapy indicated for the treatment of patients aged 18 months and older with a clinical, molecular, and genetically confirmed diagnosis of aromatic L–amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency with a severe phenotype. It is a recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 2 (AAV2)-based gene therapy, containing the human DDC gene.1 It is designed to correct the underlying genetic defect, by delivering a functioning DDC gene directly into the putamen, increasing the AADC enzyme and restoring dopamine production.2,3 The efficacy and safety profile of Upstaza has been demonstrated across clinical trials and compassionate use programs.1 The first patient was dosed in 2010. In clinical trials, Upstaza demonstrated transformational neurological improvements. The most common side effects were initial insomnia, irritability and dyskinesia. Administration of Upstaza occurs through a stereotactic surgical procedure, a minimally invasive neurosurgical procedure used for the treatment of a number of pediatric and adult neurological disorders. The Upstaza administration procedure is performed by a qualified neurosurgeon in centers specialized in stereotactic neurosurgery. Upstaza has received marketing authorization in Europe, Great Britain and Israel. About aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency AADC deficiency is a fatal, rare genetic disorder that typically causes severe disability and suffering from the first months of life, affecting every aspect of life – physical, mental and behavioral. The suffering of children with AADC deficiency may be exacerbated by: episodes of distressing seizure-like oculogyric crises causing the eyes to roll up in the head, frequent vomiting, behavioral problems, and difficulty sleeping. The lives of affected children are severely impacted and shortened. Ongoing physical, occupational and speech therapy, and interventions, including surgery, also are often required to manage potentially life-threatening complications such as infections, severe feeding and breathing problems. About Translarna™ (ataluren) Translarna (ataluren), discovered and developed by PTC Therapeutics, 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 Duchenne. Translarna, the tradename of ataluren, is licensed in multiple countries for the treatment of nonsense mutation Duchenne muscular dystrophy (nmDMD) in ambulatory patients aged 2 years and older. Ataluren is an investigational new drug in the United States. About Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (Duchenne) Primarily affecting males, Duchenne is a rare and fatal genetic disorder that results in progressive muscle weakness from early childhood and leads to premature death in the mid-20's 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 Duchenne can lose the ability to walk (loss of ambulation) as early as 10 years old, followed by loss of the use of their arms. Duchenne patients subsequently experience life-threatening lung complications, requiring the need for ventilation support, and heart complications in their late teens and 20s. About PTC Therapeutics, Inc. PTC is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of clinically differentiated medicines that provide benefits to patients with rare disorders. PTC's ability to innovate to identify new therapies and to globally commercialize products is the foundation that drives investment in a robust and diversified pipeline of transformative medicines. PTC's mission is to provide access to best-in-class treatments for patients who have little to no treatment options. PTC's strategy is to leverage its strong scientific and clinical expertise and global commercial infrastructure to bring therapies to patients. PTC believes this allows it to maximize value for all its stakeholders. To learn more about PTC, please visit us at and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter at @PTCBio. For More Information: Investors: Kylie O'Keefe +1 (908) 300-0691 [email protected] Media: Jeanine Clemente +1 (908) 912-9406 [email protected] Forward-Looking Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this release, other than statements of historic fact, are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding: the future expectations, plans and prospects for PTC, including with respect to the expected timing of regulatory submissions and responses, commercialization and other matters with respect to its products and product candidates; PTC's strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenues, projected costs; the extent, timing and financial aspects of our strategic pipeline prioritization and reductions in workforce; and the objectives of management. Other forward-looking statements may be identified by the words, "guidance", "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "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 those related to: the outcome of pricing, coverage and reimbursement negotiations with third party payors for PTC's products or product candidates that PTC commercializes or may commercialize in the future; PTC's ability to use the results of Study 041, a randomized, 18-month, placebo-controlled clinical trial of Translarna for the treatment of nmDMD followed by an 18-month open-label extension, and from its international drug registry study to support a marketing approval for Translarna for the treatment of nmDMD in the United States; whether investigators agree with PTC's interpretation of the results of clinical trials and the totality of clinical data from our trials in Translarna; expectations with respect to Upstaza, including any regulatory submissions and potential approvals, commercialization, manufacturing capabilities, the potential achievement of development, regulatory and sales milestones and contingent payments that PTC may be obligated to make; significant business effects, including the effects of industry, market, economic, political or regulatory conditions; changes in tax and other laws, regulations, rates and policies; the eligible patient base and commercial potential of PTC's products and product candidates; PTC's scientific approach and general development progress; and the factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of PTC's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, 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. As with any pharmaceutical under development, there are significant risks in the development, regulatory approval and commercialization of new products. There are no guarantees that any product will receive or maintain regulatory approval in any territory, or prove to be commercially successful, including Translarna and Upstaza. 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 press release except as required by law. Acronyms: BLA: Biologics License Application DMD: Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy EMA: European Medicines Agency FDA: U.S. Food and Drug Administration MAA: Marketing Authorization Application NDA: New Drug Application PKU: Phenylketonuria References: Tai CH, et al. Long-term efficacy and safety of eladocagene exuparvovec in patients with AADC deficiency. Mol Ther. 2022;30(2):509-518. Chien et al. AGIL-AADC gene therapy results in sustained improvements in motor and developmental milestones through 5 years in children with AADC deficiency. Poster presented at the 48th Annual Meeting of the Child Neurology Society, Charlotte, NC, USA, Oct 23-26, 2019. Chien YH, et al. Efficacy and safety of AAV2 gene therapy in children with aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency: an open-label, phase 1/2 trial. Lancet Child Adolesc Health. 2017;1(4):265-273. SOURCE PTC Therapeutics, Inc.

Pictured: Bayer's office in Berlin, Germany/iStock, Elenasfotos Bayer reported another Phase III win for its menopause drug candidate Tuesday, linking the molecule to improved outcomes in a long-term study and setting the stage for approval filings. The clinical trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of elinzanetant, a dual neurokinin-1,3 (NK-1,3) receptor antagonist, in the treatment of hot flashes associated with menopause over 52 weeks. Bayer reported a pair of 12-week Phase III studies met their coprimary endpoints in January 2024, but still needed a hit on the third trial to show the long-term effects of the molecule. Bayer’s topline readout revealed that the trial met its primary endpoint, which tracked the mean change in the frequency of moderate to severe hot flashes after 12 weeks of oral daily dosing with elinzanetant or placebo. The company also said the safety pro across 52 weeks of dosing was consistent with the results of previously published studies including its Phase 2b dose-finding trial. The company plans to include data from all three clinical trials in applications for approval. If Bayer wins approval, it will face competition from Astellas’ rival NK3 receptor antagonist Veozah (fezolinetant). The FDA approved Veozah for the treatment of vasomotor symptoms, the medical term for hot flashes, due to menopause in May 2023. Bayer is keeping back data from all three trials to present at upcoming scientific congresses, making it impossible to assess how elinzanetant compares to Veozah. Astellas reported 3.6 billion yen ($24 million) of Veozah sales over the first nine months of its financial year and has run ads during the Super Bowl and the Oscars to promote the product. Elinzanetant may have an advantage over Veozah because it targets NK1 and NK3, rather than just the latter receptor. Some studies have suggested NK1 antagonists may improve sleep. Bayer’s long-term trial looked at changes in sleep disturbances, which are frequently associated with hot flashes, but the company has yet to release the data. The details of the readout will shape the prospects of an important molecule for Bayer. The company has 10 programs in Phase III development but CEO Bill Anderson has warned the “late-stage pipeline is thin relative to the patent losses we have in the next years,” telling the Financial Times that the problems stem from historical under-investment. Having stopped a Phase III trial of the investigational factor XIa inhibitor asundexian in November 2023, Bayer is looking to elinzanetant and late-phase prostate cancer and chronic kidney disease prospects to drive growth and offset the upcoming loss of patent protection for Xarelto (rivaroxaban). Nick Paul Taylor is a freelance pharmaceutical and biotech writer based in London. He can be reached on LinkedIn.