PALATIN ANNOUNCES POSITIVE PRECLINICAL DATA SHOWING SYNERGISTIC WEIGHT LOSS, INITIATING CLINICAL STUDY OF MELANOCORTIN 4 RECEPTOR AGONIST + GLP-1 IN OBESE PATIENTS
October 19, 2023 at 08:40 am EDT
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CRANBURY - Palatin Technologies, Inc. (NYSE American: PTN), a biopharmaceutical company developing first-in-class medicines based on molecules that modulate the activity of the melanocortin receptor system, today announced plans to initiate a clinical study of melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) agonist, bremelanotide, an FDA approved product and 100% owned by Palatin, in combination with a Glucagon Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist, in obese patients in the first quarter of calendar year 2024.
In addition, Palatin announced a poster presentation of preclinical data, entitled Melanocortin receptor 4 agonist PL8905 in Combination with Glucagon Like Peptide-1 Produces Synergistic Weight Loss, Reduced Food Intake, and Greater Glucose Control in Diet-Induced Obese (DIO) Rats (Dodd et al.) at the Peptide Therapeutics Symposium, October 16-17, 2023 in La Jolla, CA.
GLP-1 agonists are currently the standard of care treatment for obesity. However, real-world use data shows that more than two-thirds (68%) of obese patients discontinue use in the first year. Side effects, especially at higher dose levels and a plateau effect, contribute to the high discontinuation rate. Palatin's innovative approach aims to address these issues by improving treatment adherence and promoting consistent long term weight loss through combination therapy. By co-administering an MC4R agonist with a GLP-1 agonist, Palatin anticipates achieving significant weight loss at lower doses, with improved tolerability. Combination drug therapy will be a key part of improving the overall health and quality of life for obese patients.
'With the increased use of FDA-approved GLP-1 agonists for treating obesity there is an unmet need for treatments with alternative mechanisms of action that will help obese patients meet and maintain their weight loss objectives. We believe the MC4R agonist is the best validated mechanism for adjunctive therapy with GLP-1 agonists and weight loss maintenance,' said Carl Spana, Ph.D., President and CEO of Palatin. 'With our extensive experience in obesity research, a portfolio of novel selective MC4R agonists, and access to bremelanotide, an FDA approved MC4R agonist, we are well positioned to advance an MC4R agonist as a potentially effective and safe treatment for obesity.'
The Peptide Therapeutics Symposium poster presented data evaluating the selective MCR4 agonist PL8905 from preclinical studies in which diet-induced obese animals were treated for 5 days with vehicle control, subcutaneous PL8905 alone and in combination with continuous infusion of a GLP-1 agonist.
Vehicle control and infused GLP-1 alone slightly increased body weight.
PL8905 monotherapy produced significant declines of 1.6% to 3.4% (P
Palatin Technologies, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company. The Company is engaged in developing medicines based on molecules that modulate the activity of the melanocortin receptor systems, with targeted, receptor-specific product candidates for the treatment of diseases with unmet medical need and commercial potential. Its new product development activities focus primarily on MC1r agonists, with potential to treat inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, such as dry eye disease, known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, uveitis, diabetic retinopathy, and inflammatory bowel disease. It is also engaged developing peptides that are active at more than one melanocortin receptor, and MC4r peptide and small molecule agonists with potential utility in obesity and metabolic-related disorders, including rare disease and orphan indications. It has completed Phase III PL9643 clinical study for dry eye disease. It is also conducting Phase II study of oral PL8177 in patients with ulcerative colitis.
PALATIN TECHNOLOGIES, INC. 
