PTC Therapeutics jumps after Roche starts recruiting for SMA trial

Shares of PTC Therapeutics (PTCT) are sharply higher after the company's partner began recruiting participants for a trial it is conducting to investigate a potential treatment for Spinal Muscular Atrophy patients. WHAT'S NEW: According to a post to the ClinicalTrials.gov website that was updated on September 29, Hoffmann-La Roche is now recruiting participants for its "Sunfish" study to investigate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and efficacy of RO7034067 in Type 2 and 3 Spinal Muscular Atrophy participants. WHAT'S NOTABLE: PTC Therapeutics has a joint development program with Roche (RHHBY) and the SMA Foundation in spinal muscular atrophy. In November 2011, Roche gained an exclusive worldwide license to the PTC/SMA Foundation SMN2 alternative splicing program. The development of RG7800 and RG7916 are being executed by Roche and overseen by a joint steering committee with members from PTC, Roche, and the SMA Foundation. PRICE ACTION: PTC shares have jumped $2.70, or 23.35%, to $14.26 in afternoon trading.