Boehringer Ingelheim partners with Palatin Technologies to develop novel melanocortin-based therapy for diabetic retinopathy and retinal diseases

(IN BRIEF) Boehringer Ingelheim has entered into a global collaboration and licensing agreement with Palatin Technologies to develop melanocortin receptor agonists as a new treatment for retinal diseases, beginning with diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema. The approach targets inflammation, vascular dysfunction, and neurodegeneration, addressing key drivers of retinal disease and offering a potential alternative to current treatment regimens that often involve long-term and intensive care. Palatin will receive milestone payments of up to €280 million plus royalties under the agreement. The partnership combines Boehringer’s global expertise in innovative healthcare with Palatin’s specialized receptor-targeting therapies to accelerate progress in vision preservation for patients worldwide.

(PRESS RELEASE) INGELHEIM, 19-Aug-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Boehringer Ingelheim has announced a new global research collaboration and licensing agreement with Palatin Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB: PTNTD) to develop a novel therapy for retinal diseases, with an initial focus on diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME). This strategic partnership enhances Boehringer’s pipeline in eye health and reflects its ongoing commitment to advancing innovative treatments that protect and preserve vision.

Diabetic retinopathy remains one of the leading causes of blindness among working-age adults, affecting nearly one in three people with diabetes worldwide. Patients with complications such as DME not only face progressive vision loss but also significantly higher healthcare costs and the burden of long-term, intensive treatments requiring frequent medical visits. Addressing this unmet need is central to the new collaboration, which leverages melanocortin receptor agonists as a differentiated therapeutic approach targeting inflammation, vascular dysfunction, and neurodegeneration—the three major drivers of retinal disease.

“Millions of patients are impacted by diabetic retinopathy, often leading to a devastating loss of independence and quality of life,” said Remko Bakker, Head of Eye Health and Research Beyond Borders at Boehringer Ingelheim. “By exploring the potential of melanocortin receptor agonists, we are introducing a novel mechanism that could alleviate the treatment burden associated with DR and DME while also holding promise for other retinal diseases with unmet medical needs.”

Carl Spana, President and Chief Executive Officer of Palatin Technologies, highlighted the importance of the collaboration: “This agreement validates the therapeutic potential of our melanocortin agonists in retinal health. With Boehringer’s deep expertise in innovative therapies and its strong global commercial infrastructure, we are well-positioned to accelerate progress in delivering new solutions for patients around the world.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Palatin will receive upfront, development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments of up to €280 million, in addition to tiered royalties on net sales.

Boehringer Ingelheim, one of the largest private biopharmaceutical companies worldwide, has been advancing research and development since its founding in 1885 and remains focused on providing long-term, sustainable healthcare solutions across more than 130 markets. Palatin Technologies, a specialist in melanocortin receptor science, continues to advance a pipeline of receptor-specific medicines aimed at tackling conditions with significant unmet medical and commercial potential.

Boehringer Ingelheim

Boehringer Ingelheim is a biopharmaceutical company active in both human and animal health. As one of the industry’s top investors in research and development, the company focuses on developing innovative therapies that can improve and extend lives in areas of high unmet medical need. Independent since its foundation in 1885, Boehringer Ingelheim takes a long-term perspective, embedding sustainability along the entire value chain. More than 53,500 employees serve over 130 markets to build a healthier, more sustainable and equitable tomorrow. Learn more at https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com (Global) or https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/uk (UK).

Palatin Technologies

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 advance its innovative melanocortin agonists through various stages of development and partner with leading pharmaceutical companies to accelerate progress, expand patient access, and maximize commercial success. For additional information, visit www.Palatin.com and follow Palatin on X (formerly Twitter) at @PalatinTech.

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 Palatin products in development, clinical trial results, potential actions by regulatory agencies, 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 other regulatory agencies 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.

Intended Audiences Notice

This press release is issued from our Corporate Headquarters in Ingelheim, Germany and is intended to provide information about our global business. Please be aware that information relating to the approval status and labels of approved products may vary from country to country, and a country-specific press release on this topic may have been issued in the countries where we do business.

References

[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Diabetes Statistics Report: Estimates of Diabetes and Its Burden in the United States, 2014. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2014.

2 Cho H, Choi KS, Lee JY, Lee D, Choi NK, Lee Y, Bae S. Healthcare resource use and costs of diabetic macular oedema for patients with antivascular endothelial growth factor versus a dexamethasone intravitreal implant in Korea: a population-based study. BMJ Open. 2019 Sep 20;9(9):e030930. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-030930. PMID: 31542758; PMCID: PMC6756349.

Boehringer Ingelheim partners with Palatin Technologies to develop novel melanocortin-based therapy for diabetic retinopathy and retinal diseases

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