- Complete enrollment currently expected in 3Q 2024
- Topline results expected in 1Q calendar year 2025
- Additional studies under assessment for multiple metabolic conditions
CRANBURY, N.J., Aug. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — 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 that patient dosing has started for the clinical study entitled: BMT-801: A Phase II, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Study Investigating the Safety, Tolerability, and Effectiveness of the Co-Administration of Bremelanotide with Tirzepatide (GLP-1/GIP) for the Treatment of Obesity (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06565611).
“We are excited with the start of patient dosing and by the level of patient and physician interest in our Phase 2 clinical study of an MCR4 agonist plus a GLP-1 to treat obese patients.” said Carl Spana, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Palatin. “The safe, effective, and consistent treatment and maintenance of weight loss will require multiple therapeutic options with differing mechanisms of action. The MCR4 pathway plays a key role in the regulation of energy storage and food intake, and we see MCR4 agonists playing an important role in future combination therapies and are advancing our novel long-acting peptide and small molecule compounds as key possible components of such combinations.”
“The growth of GLP-1 agonists to treat obesity has been incredible and highly effective in the short run, but data shows that 67% of patients discontinue use due to side effects and a plateau effect in the first year. This often results in a rebound effect with patients gaining back significant weight. Our research coupled with emerging clinical data indicate that combining an MCR4 agonist with incretin therapeutics like tirzepatide may result in synergistic effects on weight loss allowing for increased weight loss at lower and better tolerated doses.”
The study is designed to enroll up to 60 patients at four trial sites in the United States with the primary endpoint of the trial to demonstrate the safety and increased efficacy of co-administration of bremelanotide with tirzepatide on reducing body weight. Patients will be treated with tirzepatide-only for four weeks, have eligibility confirmed, then randomized to one of four treatment regimens. Patients will undergo multiple assessments of safety and efficacy to help profile the effectiveness of bremelanotide in treating general obesity as a stand-alone treatment or in conjunction with GLP-1/GIP therapy.
Full patient enrollment in this Phase 2 clinical study of BMT-801 is currently expected in the third quarter of calendar year 2024 with topline data readout expected in the first half of calendar year 2025.
About Melanocortin 4 Receptor Agonists Effect on Obesity
Genetic analysis has identified the melanocortin 4 receptor (MCR4) of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus as playing a central role in appetite regulation. Genetic mutations that inhibit signaling in the MCR4 pathway lead to hyperphagia, decreased energy expenditure and early-onset obesity; such mutations have been identified as the cause of several rare genetic obesity disorders. Agouti-related peptide is an endogenous antagonist of the MCR4 that works with neuropeptide Y to stimulate appetite, whereas MCR4 agonists such as α- and β-melanocyte-stimulating hormone promote satiety. Agonism of the MCR4 therefore represents an attractive target for potential obesity treatments.
About Melanocortin Receptor Agonists
The melanocortin receptor (“MCR”) system has effects on inflammation, immune system responses, metabolism, food intake, and sexual function. There are five melanocortin receptors, MCR1 through MCR5. Modulation of these receptors, through use of receptor-specific agonists, which activate receptor function, or receptor-specific antagonists, which block receptor function, can have medically significant pharmacological effects.
Many tissues and immune cells located in the eye (and other places, for example the gut and kidney) express melanocortin receptors, empowering our opportunity to directly activate natural pathways to resolve disease inflammation.
About Obesity
Obesity, which is defined as a body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2, represents a rising worldwide public health concern. Obesity is associated with an increased risk of overall mortality and serious health conditions, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke and certain cancers. Health-related quality of life is significantly lower among adults with obesity, and obesity is associated with increased health care resource use and high economic burden. Safe and effective obesity treatments therefore remain a critical unmet need. The global increase in the prevalence of obesity is a public health issue that has severe cost implications to healthcare systems. In the United States, about 42% of adults live with obesity, and one out of five teens between the ages of 12-19 live with obesity.
About Palatin
Palatin is a biopharmaceutical company developing first-in-class 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 significant unmet medical need and commercial potential. Palatin’s strategy is to develop products and then form marketing collaborations with industry leaders to maximize their commercial potential. For additional information regarding Palatin, please visit Palatin’s website at www.Palatin.com and follow Palatin on Twitter at @PalatinTech.
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 Palatin products in development, 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 other regulatory 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 events that occur after the date of this press release.
Palatin Technologies® is a registered trademark of Palatin Technologies, Inc.
