Palatin Presents Promising Preclinical Data for Melanocortin Agonist PL9588
CRANBURY, N.J. -- Palatin Technologies, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company advancing innovative treatments targeting the melanocortin receptor system, today announced new preclinical data for PL9588, a novel melanocortin receptor agonist, presented at the 2025 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting. The findings support the potential of PL9588 as a topical treatment for glaucoma, combining both IOP-lowering and neuroprotective effects.
"Palatin is leading innovation in melanocortin science," said Carl Spana, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Palatin. "Unlike current treatments that only lower intraocular pressure, PL9588 both reduces IOP and provides direct neuroprotection. This dual-action profile positions it as a potentially transformative therapy for glaucoma, and we are excited to move it forward into clinical development."
Topical melanocortin therapy shows promise for treating glaucoma
Key Preclinical Findings for PL9588:
Ø Reduces intraocular pressure via aqueous outflow mechanism
Ø Increased fluid movement through the trabecular meshwork (TM) (p<0.05)
Ø Provides retinal neuroprotection independent of IOP lowering
Ø Reduced retinal cell stress/death by ~25% in damaged retinas (p<0.05)
Ø Decreased retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death in an ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) model (p<0.0001)
Ø Supports dual-action in Glaucoma
Ø Combines pressure reduction and neuronal protection
Ø Clear mechanism of action supports further development
"Most current glaucoma therapies focus solely on lowering intraocular pressure," said Michael Raizman, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at Palatin. "Yet many patients still experience vision loss despite treatment. There remains a significant unmet need for therapies that go beyond pressure reduction — particularly those that can protect retinal neurons. PL9588 has the potential to address this critical gap."
These findings position PL9588 as a potential next-generation candidate in the evolving landscape of glaucoma therapeutics.
About Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a progressive, often pressure-related disease that damages the optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness. It affects approximately 79.6 million people worldwide (2020) and is a leading cause of preventable vision loss. Most therapies today reduce IOP but lack neuroprotective effects. According to Polaris Market Research, the global glaucoma market was valued at $5.71 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach $9.77 billion by 2030. This growth is driven by increasing prevalence and demand for innovative therapies.
About PL9588
PL9588 is a synthetic peptide that activates melanocortin receptors 1 and 5 (MC1R and MC5R). It is being developed as a topical treatment for glaucoma, targeting both IOP reduction and retinal cell protection.
About Melanocortin Receptor System
The melanocortin receptor (MCR) system plays a critical role in regulating inflammation, immune response, and tissue repair. MCR agonists have shown promise in restoring tissue homeostasis in ocular, gastrointestinal, and renal diseases. By activating natural resolution pathways, PL9588 and other melanocortin agonists represent a new class of anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective therapeutics.
About Palatin
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 develop products and then form marketing collaborations to maximize their commercial potential.
