CRANBURY, N.J., May 16, 2017 /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 results for its third quarter ended March 31, 2017. 

Quarter and Recent Highlights

• Bremelanotide - Under development for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD):

• November 2016 reported positive Phase 3 clinical results - both pivotal trials met the pre-specified co-primary efficacy endpoints of improvement in desire and decrease in distress associated with low sexual desire. 

• Closed an exclusive North American license agreement with AMAG Pharmaceuticals to develop and commercialize bremelanotide in February 2017.

• Received $60 million upfront payment

• Working closely with AMAG on completing the tasks and activities necessary to file a New Drug Application (NDA) with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

• Target NDA filing with the FDA for the first quarter of calendar year 2018.

• A Notice of Allowance was issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on a patent for methods of treating female sexual dysfunction and HSDD with bremelanotide. Once issued the patent will have a term to November 2033.

"Meeting our Phase 3 co-primary endpoints with bremelanotide and licensing the North American rights to AMAG were truly transformational for Palatin," said Stephen T. Wills, chief operating officer and chief financial officer of Palatin Technologies. "In addition to advancing the activities required to file an NDA with the FDA, we are progressing with discussions and negotiations with potential partners for other regions around the globe for bremelanotide. We are also excited to now be able to devote resources and attention to our other development programs, which address indications such as heart failure, ophthalmic disorders and inflammatory bowel diseases using targeted, receptor-specific peptides which we developed."

Third Quarter Fiscal 2017 Financial Results

Palatin reported a net loss of $(3.6) million, or $(0.02) per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, compared to a net loss of $(12.7) million, or $(0.08) per basic and diluted share, for the same period in 2016.    

The difference between the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 was primarily attributable to the recognition of $10.8 million in contract revenue pursuant to our license agreement with AMAG.

Revenue

For the quarter ended March 31, 2017, Palatin recognized $10.8 million in contract revenue related to our license agreement with AMAG. There were no revenues recorded in the quarter ended March 31, 2016.

Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 were $13.8 million compared to $12.1 million for the comparable quarter of 2016.  The increase in operating expenses was predominately attributable to professional services incurred related to closing our license agreement with AMAG.

Other Income/Expense

Total other income (expense), net, was $(0.6) million for the quarters ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 consisting mainly of interest expense related to venture debt.

Cash Position

Palatin's cash, cash equivalents and investments were $55.4 million as of March 31, 2017, compared to cash, cash equivalents and investments of $9.4 million at June 30, 2016.  Current liabilities were $17.4 million, net of deferred revenue of $53.8 million, as of March 31, 2017, compared to $13.9 million as of June 30, 2016.

Palatin believes that with the proceeds from our license agreement with AMAG, capital resources will be adequate to fund our planned operations through calendar year 2018.

Palatin Drug Discovery Programs

In the conference call and webcast, management will discuss next steps in Palatin's portfolio of drug development programs.  These include Palatin's melanocortin receptor­1 and receptor-5 agonist peptides for treatment of inflammatory and dermatologic disease indications, natriuretic peptide receptor­A agonist compounds for treatment of cardiovascular and pulmonary indications, and melanocortin receptor-4 agonist compounds for treatment of obesity and diabetes.

Conference Call / Webcast

Palatin will host a conference call and audio webcast on May 16, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the results of operations in greater detail and provide an update on corporate developments.  Individuals interested in listening to the conference call live can dial 1-888-523-1227 (U.S./Canada) or 1-719-457-2656 (international), conference ID 3692572.  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 webcast replay will be available approximately one hour after the completion of the call.  To access the telephone replay, dial 1-888-203-1112 (U.S./Canada) or 1-719-457-0820 (international), passcode 3692572.  The webcast and telephone replay will be available through May 23, 2017.

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, 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.

Related Links

http://www.palatin.com