On November 13, 2018 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 for the treatment of diseases with significant unmet medical need and commercial potential, reported results for its first fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2018 (Press release, Palatin Technologies, NOV 13, 2018, View Source [SID1234531294]).
Recent Highlights and Program Updates
Female Sexual Dysfunction / Vyleesi (bremelanotide)
●Vyleesi, the trade name for bremelanotide – Under development for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder ("HSDD"):
¯FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) set the PDUFA (Prescription Drug User Fee Act) action goal date of March 23, 2019 for completion of the review of the New Drug Application (NDA) for Vyleesi.
oSee 8-K filing today regarding the FDA’s review of the NDA submission for Vyleesi and the request for additional data.
¯AMAG Pharmaceuticals is the exclusive licensee for North America.
¯Palatin is in discussions with potential collaboration partners for certain regions outside of the licensed territories of North America, China and South Korea.
Anti-Inflammatory / Autoimmune Programs
●Melanocortin receptor 1 and 1/5 (MC1r, MC1/5r) agonists under development for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases such as dry eye, uveitis, diabetic retinopathy and inflammatory bowel diseases:
¯PL-8177:
oAnnounced positive pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic results with no reported safety or tolerability concerns from a first-in-human Phase 1 safety study of subcutaneous dosing of PL-8177 in single and multiple ascending doses.
oData from a separate clinical study investigating an oral formulation of PL-8177 is currently expected by the end of calendar year 2018.
oProgram is under internal evaluation for orphan designations.
¯PL-8331 for ocular indications:
oPreclinical IND enabling activities commenced.
oProgram is under internal evaluation for orphan designations.
Natriuretic Peptide Program
¯PL-3994: Phase 2a, open label study in heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction, targeted to commence in the first half of 2019.
¯PL-5028: Preclinical studies evaluating potential use in fibrotic disease ongoing.
Genetic Obesity Program
¯MC4r selective peptide and oral small molecule agonists: Commenced preclinical IND activities.
¯Program is under internal evaluation for orphan designations.
Corporate
¯Decreased debt from $7.2 million at June 30, 2018 to $5.3 million at September 30, 2018.
First Quarter Fiscal 2019 Financial Results
For the first fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2018, the Company reported a net loss of $(5.7) million, or $(0.03) per basic and diluted share, compared to net income of $10.6 million, or $0.05 per basic and diluted share, in the same period in 2017. The difference was primarily attributable to the recognition of $26.9 million in license and contract revenue during the 2017 period pursuant to our license agreements with AMAG and Fosun and secondarily attributable to the decrease in research and development expenses pursuant to the completion of our Vyleesi Phase 3 clinical trial program.
Revenue
The Company recognized $34,505 of revenue for the first fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2018, compared to $21.9 million in license and contract revenue related to our license agreement with AMAG and $5.0 million in license revenue related to the license agreement with Fosun for the quarter ended September 30, 2017.
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses were $5.7 million for the first fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2018, compared to $15.7 million in the same period of 2017. The decrease in operating expenses was mainly attributable to the completion of the Vyleesi Phase 3 clinical trial program and ancillary studies necessary to file the NDA in HSDD in March 2018.
Other Income/Expense
Total other expense, net was $53,288 for the first fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2018 compared to $0.4 million for the same period of 2017. Total other expense, net for both periods consisted primarily of interest expense related to the Company’s venture debt offset by investment income.
Income Tax
Pursuant to the license agreement with Fosun, $500,000 was withheld in accordance with tax withholding requirements in China and was recorded as an expense during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018. For the quarter ended September 30, 2017, Palatin incurred $225,255 in income tax expense utilizing an estimated effective annual income tax rate applied to income for the quarter and the remaining balance of $274,745 was included in prepaid expenses and other current assets at September 30, 2017. Any potential credit to be received by Palatin on its United States tax returns is currently offset by Palatin’s valuation allowance.
There was no income tax expense recorded in the quarter ended September 30, 2018.
Cash Position
At September 30, 2018, the Company had cash, cash equivalents, and accounts receivable aggregating $32.7, compared to cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable of $38.0 million at June 30, 2018. Current liabilities were $8.5 million as of September 30, 2018, compared to $10.8 million as of June 30, 2018.
The Company believes that existing capital resources will be sufficient to fund its planned operations through at least the 2019 calendar year.
Palatin Drug Discovery Programs
In the conference call and webcast, management will update and discuss next steps in Palatin’s portfolio of drug development programs. These include Palatin’s melanocortin receptor1 and receptor-1/5 agonist peptides for treatment of anti-inflammatory and autoimmune indications, receptor-4 peptide and small molecule agonists for the treatment of genetic obesity indications and natriuretic peptide receptor agonist compounds for treatment of cardiovascular and pulmonary indications.
Conference Call / Webcast
Palatin will host a conference call and webcast on November 13, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the quarter ended September 30, 2018 results of operations and also provide an update on its programs under development. Individuals interested in listening to the conference call live can dial 1-877-260-1479 (US/Canada) or 1-334-323-0522 (international), conference ID 5988704. The webcast and replay can be accessed by logging on to the "Investor/Webcasts" section of Palatin’s website at View Source 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 (US/Canada) or 1-719-457-0820 (international), passcode 5988704. The webcast and telephone replay will be available through November 20, 2018.
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