Boehringer Ingelheim and Palatin Technologies to develop potential first-in-class melanocortin recep
- Collaboration strengthens Boehringer's pipeline in Eye Health.
- Many patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) continue to experience vision loss or treatment fatigue, underscoring an unmet need.
- Melanocortin receptor agonists offer a promising, differentiated mechanism that targets key drivers of retinal diseases, including DR.
Ingelheim, Germany, and Princeton, New Jersey, USA, August 18 2025 – Boehringer Ingelheim and Palatin Technologies, Inc., (OTCQB: PTNTD), a biopharmaceutical company developing first-in-class medicines based on molecules that modulate the activity of the melanocortin receptor system, today announced a global research collaboration and licensing agreement aiming to develop an innovative therapy for retinal diseases. The collaboration strengthens Boehringer's innovative and diversified pipeline in retinal conditions and its underlying commitment to vision preservation and protection.
Diabetic retinopathy, including diabetic macular edema (DME), affects one in three people with diabetes and is the leading cause of blindness in working-age people.1 Studies suggest that patients with DME face 30-50% higher healthcare costs than those with diabetes alone,2 underscoring the need for new approaches that mitigate the necessity of long-term, intensive care that often requires frequent monitoring and specialized procedures.
“Millions of people worldwide face a progressive decline in their independence and connection to the world due to vision loss caused by complications of diabetic retinopathy, such as DME,” said Remko Bakker, Head of Eye Health and Research Beyond Borders at Boehringer Ingelheim. “Given the high treatment burden associated with DR, the potential of a melanocortin receptor agonist is a strategic fit with our pipeline focusing on addressing the three main drivers of retinal disease: inflammation, vascular dysfunction, and neurodegeneration. Importantly, this mechanistic approach may also be applicable in retinal diseases beyond DR where high unmet needs remain.”
“This collaboration with Boehringer further validates the promise of our portfolio of melanocortin agonists and the possibility of unlocking tremendous clinical and commercial potential in retinal health,” said Carl Spana, Palatin's President and Chief Executive Officer. “Boehringer's expertise in advancing innovative health care products, combined with its global commercial reach, make them the ideal strategic partner to accelerate this research program in DR and DME for the potential benefit of patients worldwide.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Palatin will receive upfront, development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments of up to €280 million, as well as tiered royalties on net sales.
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.
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References
- 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.
- 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.
