Palatin Announces Positive Topline Results from Phase 2 Ulcerative Colitis (UC) Study of Oral Melanocortin-1 Receptor Agonist PL8177

Core Insights - Palatin Technologies announced positive topline results from its Phase 2 study of PL8177, a selective melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) agonist, for treating active ulcerative colitis (UC) [1][2][6] - The study demonstrated significant clinical remission and response rates, indicating PL8177 could be a viable alternative to current immunosuppressive and steroid therapies [2][4][6] Study Results - Clinical remission was achieved in 33% of PL8177-treated patients compared to 0% in the placebo group after eight weeks [4][5] - Clinical response was observed in 78% of PL8177-treated patients versus 33% in the placebo group, with a p-value of less than 0.005 [4][5] - Symptomatic remission occurred in 56% of PL8177-treated patients compared to 33% in the placebo group [4][5] Safety and Tolerability - PL8177 was well tolerated with no treatment-related adverse events reported during the study [4][6] Licensing and Market Potential - Discussions for licensing PL8177 are advancing with multiple large pharmaceutical companies, indicating strong interest in the UC program [4][6] Mechanism of Action - PL8177 targets melanocortin-1 receptors on colon cells, which may help improve colon health and reduce inflammation [8][12][13] Background on Ulcerative Colitis - Ulcerative colitis affects approximately 1.25 million individuals in the U.S., with a significant portion suffering from moderate-to-severe disease [14][15]