Boehringer Ingelheim and Palatin Technologies, a biopharmaceutical company focused on first-in-class melanocortin receptor modulators, have announced a global research collaboration and licensing agreement to develop a novel treatment for retinal diseases. This partnership strengthens Boehringer’s pipeline in ophthalmology and reinforces its commitment to preserving vision.
Diabetic retinopathy (DR), including diabetic macular edema (DME), affects nearly one in three people with diabetes and remains the leading cause of blindness among working-age adults. Patients with DME often incur 30–50% higher healthcare costs compared to those with diabetes alone, highlighting the urgent need for therapies that can reduce treatment burden and long-term complications.
“Millions worldwide are at risk of losing independence due to vision loss from diabetic retinopathy and DME,” said Remko Bakker, Head of Eye Health and Research Beyond Borders, Boehringer Ingelheim. “Targeting the melanocortin receptor system aligns with our strategy of addressing inflammation, vascular dysfunction, and neurodegeneration in retinal diseases. This approach may also extend beyond DR to other conditions with high unmet needs.”
Carl Spana, President and CEO of Palatin, added, “This collaboration validates the potential of our melanocortin agonist portfolio in retinal health. Boehringer’s proven expertise and global reach make them the right partner to accelerate development and maximize impact for patients.”
Under the agreement, Palatin will receive upfront payments and be eligible for development, regulatory, and commercial milestones of up to €280 million, along with tiered royalties on future net sales.