CRANBURY, N.J., Feb. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Palatin Technologies, Inc. announced today financial results for the second quarter ended December 31, 2007. Palatin reported a net loss of $3.8 million, or ($0.04) per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2007, compared to a net loss of $6.5 million, or ($0.09) per basic and diluted share, for the same period in 2006. Total revenues for the quarter ended December 31, 2007 were $743,000, compared to $3.7 million for the same period in 2006. As of December 31, 2007, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and investments totaling $22.8 million.
The decrease in the net loss for the quarter ended December 31, 2007 compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2006 was primarily attributable to the reduction in research and development expenses related to bremelanotide, the Company’s drug under development for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and female sexual dysfunction.
LICENSES, GRANTS AND CONTRACTS
For the quarter ended December 31, 2007, Palatin recognized $0.7 million of contract revenue related to its collaboration agreement with AstraZeneca AB. In the comparable quarter of 2006, Palatin recognized $3.7 million of contract revenue, primarily related to the reimbursement by King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. of bremelanotide-related development costs pursuant to the companies’ collaboration agreement, which was terminated by King in the quarter ended September 30, 2007.
COSTS AND EXPENSES
Total operating expenses for the quarter ended December 31, 2007 were $6.1 million, compared to $11.2 million for the comparable quarter of 2006, reflecting lower development costs of bremelanotide which were partially offset by an increase in general and administrative expenses due mainly to a $0.8 million litigation settlement agreement and release resolving all outstanding disputes with Competitive Technologies, Inc.
CASH POSITION
Palatin’s cash, cash equivalents and investments totaled $22.8 million as of December 31, 2007, compared to $33.8 million at June 30, 2007.
Palatin Technologies’ management will discuss the second quarter financial results and provide an update on corporate developments during a conference call and webcast on February 11, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. ET.
www.palatin.com
The webcast and replay can be accessed by logging on to the “Investor Center - Webcast” section of Palatin’s website noted above.
About Palatin Technologies, Inc.
Palatin Technologies, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing targeted, receptor-specific small molecule and peptide therapeutics. The Company’s internal research and development capabilities, anchored by its proprietary MIDAS(TM) technology, are fueling product development. Palatin’s strategy is to develop products and then form marketing collaborations with industry leaders in order to maximize their commercial potential. The Company currently has collaborations with AstraZeneca AB and the Mallinckrodt division of Covidien Ltd. For additional information regarding Palatin, please visit Palatin Technologies’ website at http://www.palatin.com.
Forward-looking Statements
Statements about the Company’s future expectations, including statements about its development programs, proposed indications for its product candidates, pre-clinical activities, marketing collaborations, and all other statements in this document other than historical facts, 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. The Company intends that such forward-looking statements shall be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. Palatin’s actual results may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements for various reasons, including, but not limited to the Company’s ability to fund development of its technology, ability to establish and successfully complete clinical trials and pre-clinical studies and the results of those trials and studies, dependence on its partners for certain development activities, need for regulatory approvals and commercial acceptance of its products, ability to recommence marketing and gain commercial acceptance of NeutroSpec(R), ability to protect its intellectual property, and other factors discussed in the Company’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company is not responsible for updating its disclosure for events that occur after the date of this press release.
CONTACT: Stephen T. Wills, CPA, MST, EVP-Operations / Chief Financial
Officer of Palatin Technologies, Inc., +1-609-495-2200, info@palatin.com;
Institutional Investors and Media, Carney Noensie of Burns McClellan,
+1-212-213-0006, cnoensie@burnsmc.com
Web site: http://www.palatin.com/
