CRANBURY, N.J., Feb. 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Palatin Technologies, Inc. (NYSE MKT: PTN), a biopharmaceutical company developing targeted, receptor-specific peptide therapeutics for the treatment of diseases with significant unmet medical need and commercial potential, today announced results for its second quarter ended December 31, 2014.
"We achieved a significant clinical and corporate milestone by advancing bremelanotide for the treatment of female sexual dysfunction into the phase 3 pivotal stage in the U.S. Both trials of the phase 3 reconnect study are active and enrolling patients," said Carl Spana, Ph.D., President and CEO of Palatin. "We currently project completing enrollment in the second half of calendar year 2015 and reporting topline results in mid-calendar year 2016."
Recent Highlights
- Bremelanotide development for Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD):
- December 2014 and January 2015, Palatin initiated Protocols 301 and 302 of its phase 3 clinical trial reconnect study in the United States for the treatment of female sexual dysfunction (FSD).
- Each pivotal trial of the reconnectstudy is a multicenter (~80 sites), randomized, placebo controlled, parallel-group, eight month trial with an open-label extension phase. The clinical trials are designed to randomize approximately 1100 women (~550 each trial) in North America to evaluate the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous bremelanotide in premenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) as an on-demand, as-needed treatment. More information on the trial protocol, including trial design and inclusion/exclusion criteria, can be found at http://clinicaltrials.gov.
- The start of the reconnect study in the U.S. triggered a development milestone payment of 2.5 million (approximately $3 million) from Gedeon Richter Plc, which was recognized as revenue in the quarter ended December 31, 2014.
- December 2014 and January 2015, Palatin initiated Protocols 301 and 302 of its phase 3 clinical trial reconnect study in the United States for the treatment of female sexual dysfunction (FSD).
- In November 2014 Palatin obtained U.S. Patent 8,877,890 for melanocortin receptor-1 cyclic peptides with potential application in treatment of inflammatory and dermatologic disease indications.
- In December 2014, Palatin received $0.5 million in net proceeds from the sale of New Jersey state net operating loss carryforwards, which resulted in the recognition of $0.5 million in tax benefits for the quarter ended December 31, 2014.
- In December 2014, Palatin closed on debt and equity financing consisting of:
- $10.0 million venture loan, which includes an interest-only payment period for the first eighteen months, is a four year senior secured term loan that bears interest at a floating coupon rate of one-month LIBOR (floor of 0.50%) plus 8.50%. The lenders also received immediately exercisable Series D warrants to purchase 666,666 shares of Palatin's common stock at an exercise price of $0.75 per share which expire on the fifth anniversary of the date of issuance.
- A private placement of 2,050,000 shares of its common stock and Series C warrants to purchase 24,949,325 shares of its common stock. Two accredited investment funds invested $10 million each. The funds paid $0.75 for each share of common stock and $0.74 for each Series C warrant, resulting in gross proceeds to Palatin of $20 million, with net proceeds, after deducting estimated offering expenses, of approximately $18.6 million. The Series C warrants are exercisable at an exercise price of $0.01 per share immediately upon issuance and expire on the tenth anniversary of the date of issuance.
Second Quarter Fiscal 2015 Financial Results
Palatin reported net income of $2.8 million, or $0.03 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2014, compared to a net loss of $3.6 million, or $(0.03) per basic and diluted share, for the same period in 2013.
The increase in net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 compared to the same period last fiscal year was mainly attributable to the recognition of approximately $8.0 million in contract revenue pursuant to our agreement with Gedeon Richter.
Revenue
For the quarter ended December 31, 2014, Palatin recognized the remaining $4.9 million of license revenue (previously deferred) under our agreement with Gedeon Richter plus approximately $3.1 million from a development milestone upon the start of the reconnect study in the U.S. There were no revenues recorded in the quarter ended December 31, 2013.
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 were $5.7 million compared to $3.6 million for the comparable quarter of 2013. The increase in operating expenses for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 was the result of an increase in costs primarily relating to phase 3 clinical trial program costs for bremelanotide for the treatment of FSD.
Cash Position
Palatin's cash and cash equivalents were $42.7 million, with accounts receivable of approximately $3.0 million as of December 31, 2014, compared to cash and cash equivalents $12.2 million at June 30, 2014. Current liabilities were $5.1 million as of December 31, 2014, compared to $1.8 million, net of $1.0 million of deferred revenue, as of June 30, 2014.
Palatin believes that existing capital resources will be adequate to fund our planned operations through the quarter ending March 31, 2016.
CONFERENCE CALL / WEBCAST
Palatin will host a conference call and webcast on February 13, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the results of operations in greater detail and provide an update on corporate developments. Individuals interested in listening to the conference call live can dial 1-888-510-1765 (domestic) or 1-719-457-2689 (international), pass code 9168599. The webcast and replay can be accessed by logging on to the "Investor/Media Center-Webcasts" section of Palatin's website at http://www.palatin.com. 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 (domestic) or 1-719-457-0820 (international), pass code 9168599.
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