CRANBURY, N.J., Sept. 21, 2015 /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 that the Company and Gedeon Richter (Richter) mutually and amicably agreed to terminate the license and collaboration agreement for bremelanotide for the treatment of female sexual dysfunction (FSD). All rights and licenses granted to Richter have terminated and reverted back to Palatin. There are no payment or reimbursement obligations as a result of the license agreement termination.
Palatin entered into the license agreement with Richter in August 2014 to co-develop and commercialize bremelanotide for FSD in the European Union, other European countries and additional selected countries. Palatin received €7.5 million ($9.8 million) in total upfront payments from Richter, and a milestone payment of €2.5 million ($3.1 million) upon the initiation of its Phase 3 clinical trial program in the United States.
Palatin now has the global rights to bremelanotide for FSD, providing the Company and its business development efforts with additional options and flexibility. Palatin is actively engaged in licensing and collaboration discussions with multiple companies for both global and regional commercial rights to bremelanotide.
Bremelanotide development overview for the treatment of FSD:
- Palatin initiated Protocols 301 and 302 of its Phase 3 reconnect study in the United States and Canada for the treatment of FSD in December 2014 and January 2015, respectively. Further information on the trial protocols can be found at clinicaltrials.gov.
- The two Phase 3 studies are progressing as planned and meeting target objectives.
- Enrollment is greater than 50% to date and is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of calendar year 2015.
- Top-line data is expected to be available in the third quarter of calendar year 2016.
- The clinical trials are designed to randomize approximately 1,100 women (~550 per trial) to evaluate the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous bremelanotide in premenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder as an on-demand, as-needed treatment. For further information, visit reconnectstudy.com.
About Bremelanotide for Female Sexual Dysfunction
Palatin is developing bremelanotide subcutaneous for the treatment of FSD in premenopausal women diagnosed with FSD. Bremelanotide, which is a melanocortin agonist (a compound which binds to a cell receptor and triggers a response) drug candidate, is a synthetic peptide analog of the naturally occurring hormone alpha-MSH (melanocyte-stimulating hormone). Bremelanotide is an on-demand, as-needed treatment and has the potential to transform the treatment of patients with FSD.
About Female Sexual Dysfunction
Female Sexual Dysfunction covers multi-factorial conditions that have anatomical, physiological, medical, psychological and social components. We will seek approval of bremelanotide for the largest category of FSD, hypoactive sexual desire disorder. To establish a diagnosis of FSD, one or more of the disorders making up FSD must be associated with personal distress, as determined by the affected women.[i] A study of more than 30,000 U.S. women in 2008 reported an age-adjusted point prevalence of sexual difficulties causing personal distress in 12 percent of respondents.[ii]
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 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, business development and licensing 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, entering into marketing and distribution agreements, 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.
[i] Frank J et al. Diagnosis and Treatment of Female Sexual Dysfunction. AmFam Physician 2008; 77(5): 635-642.
[ii] Shifren JL et al. Sexual Problems and Distress in United States Women: Prevalence and Correlates. ObstetGynecol 2008;112 (5); 968-9.
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SOURCE Palatin Technologies, Inc.