– Results demonstrate melanocortin
agonists may represent a new therapeutic
avenue to treat diabetic nephropathy
– Open Label Phase 2 clinical study in
diabetic kidney disease enrolling patients
CRANBURY, N.J., May 30, 2023
/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 the presentation of the poster
"MC1R Agonist PL8177 Protects Against Podocyte Loss in a
Streptozotocin-Induced Rat Model of Diabetic Nephropathy" at
the International Podocyte Conference May
24-26, 2023 in Philadelphia,
PA. The poster was presented by Luipa Khandker, Ph.D.,
Senior Scientist – Biology, at Palatin. The poster can be found on
Palatin's website www.palatin.com.
The data shows PL8177 treatment of streptozotocin-induced
diabetic rats preserved the expression of WT1 protein and the
number of podocytes and proximal tubule cells compared to
vehicle-treated controls. The data also demonstrated that
glomerular hypertrophy, a characteristic of kidney injury, trended
toward reduction in PL8177-treated kidneys.
"This data in a kidney disease model using a potent
melanocortin-1 receptor agonist is yet another example of the
potential of the melanocortin system as a target for novel
treatments for inflammatory diseases," said Carl Spana, Ph.D., President and CEO of Palatin. "Palatin's
research team continues to contribute significant mechanism of
action data to the melanocortin field through state-of-the art
science and we look forward to the efficacy data from our Phase 2
BREAKOUT clinical study in diabetic kidney disease."
A Phase 2 study being conducted by Palatin using bremelanotide,
a pan-agonist, which includes potent melanocortin-1 agonism, the
BREAKOUT Study, is currently enrolling patients. Additional trial
information, including inclusion and exclusion criteria, can be
found at https://clinicaltrials.gov via the identifier
NCT05709444.
About Diabetic (Nephropathy) Kidney Disease
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the most common cause of end-stage
renal disease in the United States
and other developed countries. Approximately 30 million US patients
have chronic kidney disease (CKD) secondary to the combination of
hypertension and Type II diabetes mellitus. Despite this remarkable
prevalence, clinicians have little consensus on what comprises
optimal therapy. While the widespread use of RAAS blockade and
other maneuvers have slowed disease progression, approximately
one-third of patients with Type II diabetic nephropathy will
progress to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). As a result, much
effort has been devoted to understanding the mechanisms by which
the diabetic condition leads to the typical histopathologic
changes, including mesangial expansion, thickened basement
membranes, and loss of podocyte density and functionality.
There is evidence that injury to the glomerular podocyte is
central to the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy and that
clinical treatments should be directed toward maintaining podocyte
viability. Podocytes are highly differentiated neuron-like cells
with limited cell division and replacement capacity. They are
central to the support and maintenance of glomerular capillary
networks and function as the final barrier in glomerular
filtration. Evidence from pre-clinical animal model studies
suggests that podocyte losses precede and contribute to progressive
diabetic glomerulopathy.
About Melanocortins and Kidney
Disease
Melanocortin receptors comprise a complex system
comprised of 5 different receptors with broad and varying
physiologic functions. MC1r signals through a G-protein coupled
pathway that leads to activation of adenylate cyclase and
ultimately stimulation of the serine-threonine kinase activity of
protein kinase A. A growing body of work in cell signaling and
function of the glomerular podocyte suggests that protein kinase A
regulates the formation of footplate processes, cell attachment,
and apoptosis. MC1r activation may stabilize podocyte function and
survival in diabetes and other conditions of glomerular
diseases.
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, such as statements about
PL8177 preclinical and clinical results for ulcerative colitis and
gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases, 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.
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SOURCE Palatin Technologies, Inc.