ARVO 2023: Palatin presents data on potential Treatment for glaucoma

(Image Credit: AdobeStock/tadamichi)

Palatin Technologies Inc. announced the presentation of a poster titled, Melanocortin Receptor Agonist PL9588 Reduces Intraocular Pressure in Normotensive Rabbits at the Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Conference.

According to the company, the authors of the poster, presented Monday, include Paul S. Kayne, PhD; Alison Obr, PhD; John H. Dodd, PhD; and Carl Spana, PhD, all of Palatin Technologies.

"The Palatin research team continues to produce groundbreaking data regarding melanocortins' utility and mechanism of action in treating ocular inflammatory diseases," Spana, who is president and CEO of Palatin, said in a statement. "We are excited by the potential of PL9588 as a novel treatment for glaucoma and pending resources, plan to move into clinical development."

The poster presents data on PL9588 from a series of dose-ranging and duration-of-effect studies to establish its effects on intraocular pressure (IOP) after administration in healthy, normotensive rabbits. Topically administered PL9588 showed reductions in IOP with magnitudes similar or greater to the positive controls, latanoprost and timolol, which are FDA approved for treating glaucoma.

Moreover, the company noted the IOP lowering effect of a single topical dose of PL9588 persisted for 24 hours. A therapeutic melanocortin agonist could provide new options for treatment, both as a single agent or in combination with a standard of care. Given that melanocortins have been shown to provide neuroprotection in neuroinflammatory disorders, they may provide long-term benefit to patients with glaucoma in addition to reducing IOP. Palatin'sdata provides support for continued development of PL9588 with the aim of providing a novel, once-daily treatment for glaucoma.

"With the effects of lowering of intraocular pressure and protection of the ocular nerve, topically administered PL9588 has the potential to be a groundbreaking treatment for glaucoma patients," Michael Raizman, MD, a practicing ophthalmologist and CMO of Palatin, said in a statement.."Potentially providing clinicians and patients with a topical treatment option which could save their vision would be a significant improvement to what is currently available to treat glaucoma and it's detrimental effects on vision."