Palatin Presents Promising Preclinical Data for Melanocortin Agonist PL9588 at ARVO 2025, Highlighting a Dual-Action Glaucoma Therapy

Core Insights - Palatin Technologies, Inc. announced new preclinical data for PL9588, a novel melanocortin receptor agonist, indicating its potential as a dual-action topical treatment for glaucoma, providing both intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction and neuroprotection [1][3][9] Company Overview - Palatin Technologies is focused on developing innovative treatments targeting the melanocortin receptor system, with PL9588 being a key candidate in their pipeline [1][11] - The company aims to address significant unmet medical needs in glaucoma therapy by combining IOP reduction with neuroprotective effects [4][11] Product Details - PL9588 is a synthetic peptide that activates melanocortin receptors 1 and 5 (MC1R and MC5R), designed to lower IOP and protect retinal cells [7][9] - Preclinical findings show that PL9588 reduces IOP by increasing aqueous outflow and demonstrates neuroprotection independent of IOP lowering, with a reduction in retinal cell stress/death by approximately 25% [10] Industry Context - Glaucoma affects around 79.6 million people globally and is a leading cause of preventable vision loss, highlighting the need for effective therapies beyond IOP reduction [5] - The global glaucoma market was valued at $5.71 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach $9.77 billion by 2030, driven by increasing prevalence and demand for innovative therapies [6]