Palatin Technologies, Inc. (NYSE MKT: PTN), a biopharmaceutical company developing targeted, receptor-specific peptide therapeutics for the treatment of diseases with significant unmet medical needs and commercial potential, today announced that it has started its bremelanotide pivotal registration program. The Company has initiated its phase 3 reconnect study in the United States for the treatment of female sexual dysfunction (FSD).
"We are pleased to achieve this major milestone in the bremelanotide program with the initiation of our phase 3 reconnect study in the U.S," stated Carl Spana, Ph.D., President and CEO of Palatin. "This is a key step in our global strategy to bring bremelanotide to market for the millions of women who have FSD and are seeking a safe and effective treatment." Dr. Spana further stated that, "Our recent $30 million financing has provided the financial resources to start the bremelanotide phase 3 pivotal registration program and timing flexibility regarding partnering for the U.S. and other non-European territories."
The start of the reconnect study phase 3 clinical trial in the U.S triggers a development milestone payment of €2.5 million (~$3 million) from Gedeon Richter Plc, Palatin's partner in Europe for bremelanotide for FSD. Palatin is also eligible to receive regulatory and sales milestones, and low double-digit royalties on net sales in the European licensed territory.
Protocol 301 of the reconnect study is a multicenter (~80 sites), randomized, placebo controlled, parallel-group, eight month trial with an open-label extension phase. It is designed to randomize approximately 550 women in North America to evaluate the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous bremelanotide in premenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) as an on-demand, as-needed treatment. Initial data from the study is anticipated in the middle of calendar year 2016.
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