Palatin Technologies, Inc. Reports First Quarter Fiscal Year 2021 Results and Provides Business Update

CRANBURY, N.J., Nov. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Palatin Technologies, Inc. (NYSE American: PTN), a specialized biopharmaceutical company developing first-in-class medicines based on molecules that modulate the activity of the melanocortin and natriuretic peptide receptor systems, today announced results for its first quarter ended September 30, 2020.

First Quarter Ended September 30, 2020 Financial Highlights

• Net loss for the quarter was $(3.9) million, or $(0.02) per share, compared to a net loss of $(4.5) million, or $(0.02) per share for the comparable quarter of 2019;
• Vyleesi® gross sales for the period July 25 to September 30 amounted to $809,100. Recognized $(288,560) in Vyleesi product revenue, net of allowances and accruals;
• Recognized no contract and license revenue for the quarter, compared to $97,379 for the comparable quarter of 2019;
• Total operating expenses for the quarter were $3.7 million, including a $1.6 million gain on the license termination agreement, compared to $5.0 million for the comparable quarter of 2019;
• As of September 30, 2020, the Company had $86.6 million in cash and cash equivalents and $5.0 million in accounts receivable, compared to $82.9 million in cash and cash equivalents and no accounts receivable as of June 30, 2020, with no outstanding debt.

Business Highlights and Updates

• In July 2020, regained exclusive North American rights to market Vyleesi® (bremelanotide injection), the first and only on demand treatment for premenopausal women suffering from acquired, generalized, hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), a condition affecting one in ten premenopausal women;
• Vyleesi commercial activities: solidified the distribution network and procedures, improved contact with prescribers and healthcare providers through virtual meetings, increased insurance reimbursement coverage, and initiated a highly-selective  digital marketing and telemedicine campaign to rebuild awareness and demand among pre-menopausal women with initial geo-targeting to top prescriber and digital locations;
• Completed enrollment of a Phase 2 clinical study with PL9643 for the treatment of dry eye disease (DED). Data readout expected December 2020;
• A Phase 2 proof-of-concept clinical study with an oral formulation of PL8177 in ulcerative colitis patients is targeted to start in the first half of calendar year 2021.

"We have made significant progress and improvement on Vyleesi commercial activities, specifically around insurance reimbursement and expanded coverage. This put us in the proper position as we initiated a targeted marketing digital campaign to raise condition and treatment awareness with premenopausal women," stated Carl Spana, Ph.D., President and CEO of Palatin.

"Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing viral pandemic, we are on track for data readout next month on our PL9643 Phase 2 clinical study in subjects with dry eye disease. Most people living with dry eye disease suffer from episodic flare-ups. These flares can be caused by a multitude of triggers and frequently are not sufficiently addressed by current therapies."

Programs Overview

Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) / Vyleesi® (bremelanotide injection)

In July 2020, Palatin announced the mutual termination of its License Agreement with AMAG Pharmaceutical, Inc, for Vyleesi. Under the termination agreement, Palatin regained all North American development and commercialization rights for Vyleesi. AMAG made a $12.0 million payment to Palatin at closing and will make a $4.3 million payment to Palatin on March 31, 2021. Palatin assumed all Vyleesi manufacturing agreements, and AMAG transferred information, data, and assets related exclusively to Vyleesi, including existing inventory. AMAG is providing certain transitional services to Palatin for a period to ensure continued patient access to Vyleesi and regulatory compliance during the transition back to Palatin. Palatin is reimbursing AMAG for the agreed upon costs of the transition services.

Palatin is exploring its options to enhance the commercialization of Vyleesi, including discussions with potential collaboration partners that currently market female healthcare products. Palatin continues collaboration discussions for territories outside the currently licensed territories of China and Korea and anticipates executing multiple agreements through calendar year 2021.

The Company's strategy implements an informed and highly targeted approach to marketing, focusing on telemedicine, social media, and digital advertising. The Company is committed to working with payers and healthcare professionals to ensure women with HSDD have continued and affordable access to Vyleesi. Vyleesi remains commercially available through specialty pharmacies Avella and BioPlus. Patients also can connect with a healthcare provider through telemedicine. Patients and healthcare providers can learn more about HSDD and Vyleesi at www.vyleesi.com.

Vyleesi is the first FDA-approved product for the as-needed treatment for premenopausal women who experience distress or interpersonal difficulty due to low sexual desire. This treatment is available as a subcutaneous self-injection in a prefilled disposable autoinjector pen for use in anticipation of a sexual encounter.

Anti-Inflammatory / Autoimmune Programs

Enrollment in a Phase 2 clinical study with PL9643 for the treatment of dry eye disease was completed in August 2020. Data readout is targeted for December of 2020. If results from the Phase 2 study support advancing to Phase 3, the Company will initiate a Phase 3 efficacy study as early as mid-calendar year 2021.

A Phase 2 proof-of-concept clinical study with an oral formulation of PL8177 in ulcerative colitis patients is targeted to start in the first half of calendar year 2021, with data readout potentially in the first half of calendar year 2022.

The Company continues its assessment and development work related to the treatment of patients with diabetic retinopathy, with an investigational new drug (IND) filing targeted for mid-calendar year 2021. 

The Company currently anticipates filing an IND and commencing clinical trials with PL8177 for non-infectious uveitis, for which the FDA granted orphan drug designation, in the second half of calendar year 2021.

Palatin is advancing its COVID-19 development plan and is conducting all the required activities needed to file an IND and begin clinical studies with PL8177 as a treatment in COVID-19 patients. These activities will be completed in the fourth calendar quarter of 2020, allowing the Company to potentially file an IND with the FDA and initiate a clinical study of PL8177 for the treatment of COVID-19 patients early in the first calendar quarter of 2021.

The landscape for treating and conducting clinical studies in COVID-19 patients is rapidly evolving. This impacts the design, risk, and ability to conduct clinical studies in COVID-19 patients.  Considering the risk and uncertainty of conducting COVID-19 clinical studies, the start of a PL8177 clinical study is subject to receiving external funding and operational support. The Company is in the process of applying to government programs that provide such support.

Natriuretic Peptide Receptor (NPR) System Program

PL3994, an NPR-A agonist, will be evaluated in a Phase 2A clinical study in heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction. The proposed study is a collaboration with two major academic medical centers and is supported by an American Heart Association grant. Patient enrollment in the study has commenced and the first patient was dosed in November 2020.

Genetic Obesity Program

Palatin's melanocortin receptor 4 (MC4r) peptide PL8905 and orally active small molecule PL9610 are currently under investigation for the treatment of rare genetic metabolic and obesity disorders. These programs are under internal evaluation for orphan designations, potential development, and licensing.

Conference Call / Webcast

Palatin will host a conference call and audio webcast on November 17, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the quarter ended September 30, 2020 results of operations in greater detail and provide an update on corporate developments. Individuals interested in listening to the conference call live can dial 1-800-353-6461 (US/Canada) or 1-334-323-0501 (international), conference ID 3383273. The audio webcast and replay can be accessed by logging on to the "Investor/Webcasts" section of Palatin's website at http://www.palatin.com. A telephone and audio webcast replay will be available approximately one hour after the completion of the call. To access the telephone replay, dial 1-888-203-1112 (US/Canada) or 1-719-457-0820 (international), passcode 3383273. The webcast and telephone replay will be available through November 24, 2020.

About Palatin Technologies, Inc.

Palatin Technologies, Inc. is a specialized biopharmaceutical company developing first-in-class medicines based on molecules that modulate the activity of the melanocortin and natriuretic peptide 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 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, proposed indications for product candidates, Palatin's ongoing relationship with AMAG, market potential for product candidates, and potential adverse impacts due to the global COVID-19 pandemic such as delays in regulatory review, manufacturing and supply chain interruptions, adverse effects on healthcare systems and disruption of the global economy, 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, Palatin's ability to establish and maintain the capability for manufacturing, marketing and distribution of Vyleesi, sales of Vyleesi in the United States and elsewhere in the world, 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 for events that occur after the date of this press release.

Palatin Technologies® and Vyleesi® are registered trademarks of Palatin Technologies, Inc.

                        

SOURCE Palatin Technologies, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.palatin.com