Palatin Technologies Announces Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2013 Results and Update on Development of Bremelanotide for Female Sexual Dysfunction

CRANBURY, N.J., May 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Palatin Technologies, Inc. (NYSE MKT: PTN), a biopharmaceutical company developing targeted, receptor-specific peptide therapeutics for the treatment of diseases with significant unmet medical need and commercial potential, today announced financial results for the third quarter ended March 31, 2013. The Company also summarized end-of-Phase 2 discussions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and next steps for its Phase 3 pivotal registration program for bremelanotide, its product in development as a novel treatment for female sexual dysfunction (FSD). Palatin will hold a conference call and live audio webcast later today.

End-of-Phase 2 Meeting with FDA on Bremelanotide for FSD
In the end-of-Phase 2 meeting with FDA, Palatin reached preliminary agreement on key aspects of the Phase 3 pivotal registration studies, including:

• FSD patient population
• Primary and key secondary efficacy endpoints
• Study design
• Dose selection
• Safety monitoring

In addition, the FDA agreed with Palatin’s position that the blood pressure and heart rate signals of bremelanotide had been adequately characterized during the Phase 2 program. The FDA also agreed with the proposed Phase 3 blood pressure monitoring program, which will consist of standardized methods for in-clinic assessment of blood pressure.

“We view our positive meeting with the FDA as a major milestone in the development of bremelanotide for FSD. We are pleased to have concurrence from the FDA on the design and selection of efficacy endpoints of our Phase 3 clinical studies,” stated Carl Spana, Ph.D., President and CEO of Palatin. “We are also pleased with the FDA’s concurrence that the blood pressure monitoring program for our Phase 3 clinical studies only includes standardized methods for in-clinic assessment of blood pressure. We look forward to advancing bremelanotide for FSD towards a successful NDA filing and furthering our discussions with potential collaboration partners.”

Based upon the discussions with FDA, Palatin intends to finalize the protocols for the pivotal Phase 3 clinical studies and start screening patients later this year.

Quarter Ended March 31, 2013 Financial Results
For the three months ended March 31, 2013, Palatin reported a net loss of $4.0 million, or $(0.04) per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $6.0 million, or $(0.17) per basic and diluted share, for the same period in 2012. 

The decrease in net loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2013, compared to the same period last fiscal year, is attributable to a decrease in operating expenses primarily related to Palatin’s Phase 2B clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of bremelanotide for the treatment of FSD. 

Revenue
Palatin did not recognize any revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2013, compared to $23,996 for the quarter ended March 31, 2012.  Revenue consists of contract revenue under our collaboration agreement with AstraZeneca.

Costs and Expenses
Total operating expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 were $4.0 million compared to $6.1 million for the comparable quarter of 2012.  The decrease in operating expenses for the quarter was primarily due to Palatin’s Phase 2B clinical trial with bremelanotide for FSD and secondarily as a result of closing our research laboratory operations in connection with the lease expiration of the laboratory facilities in July 2012.

Cash Position
As of March 31, 2013, Palatin had cash and cash equivalents of $23.5 million, $6.0 million in short term investments and current liabilities of $2.7 million.  Cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2012 were $3.8 million with current liabilities of $3.5 million. 

Palatin believes that its existing capital resources will be adequate to fund its currently planned operations, including commencing Phase 3 activities with bremelanotide for FSD, through at least calendar year 2013.

Conference Call / Webcast
Palatin will host a conference call and webcast on May 14, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the results of operations and an update on development of bremelanotide for FSD and other corporate developments.  Individuals interested in listening to the conference call live can dial 1-888-427-9419 (domestic) or 1-719-457-2648 (international) pass code 8591699.  The webcast and replay can be accessed by logging on to the “Investor/Media Center-Webcasts” section of Palatin’s website at http://www.palatin.com. A telephone and webcast replay will be available approximately one hour after the completion of the call.  To access the telephone replay, dial 1-888-203-1112 (domestic) or 1-719-457-0820 (international), pass code 8591699.  The webcast and telephone replay will be available through May 21, 2013.

About Palatin Technologies, Inc.
Palatin Technologies, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company developing targeted, receptor-specific peptide therapeutics for the treatment of diseases with significant unmet medical need and commercial potential.  Palatin’s strategy is to develop products and then form marketing collaborations with industry leaders in order to maximize their commercial potential.  For additional information regarding Palatin, please visit Palatin’s website at http://www.palatin.com.  

Forward-looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not historical facts, including statements about future expectations of Palatin Technologies, Inc., such as statements about clinical trial results, potential actions by regulatory agencies including the FDA, regulatory plans, development programs, proposed indications for product candidates and market potential for product candidates, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Palatin intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause Palatin’s actual results to be materially different from its historical results or from any results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Palatin’s actual results may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements for reasons including, but not limited to, results of clinical trials, regulatory actions by the FDA and the need for regulatory approvals, Palatin’s ability to fund development of its technology and establish and successfully complete clinical trials, the length of time and cost required to complete clinical trials and submit applications for regulatory approvals, products developed by competing pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, commercial acceptance of Palatin’s products, and other factors discussed in Palatin’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Palatin is not responsible for updating for events that occur after the date of this press release.

SOURCE Palatin Technologies, Inc.