Boehringer Ingelheim and Palatin Technologies Partner on Retinal Disease Treatment
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Boehringer Ingelheim has entered into a global research and licensing agreement with Palatin Technologies to develop a potential first-in-class treatment for retinal diseases.
The approach is based on targeting the melanocortin receptor system, aiming to protect and preserve vision.
The collaboration strengthens Boehringer’s pipeline in retinal health, focusing on major disease drivers such as inflammation, vascular dysfunction and neurodegeneration. Palatin brings expertise in developing melanocortin receptor agonists, while Boehringer contributes global reach and experience in advancing new therapies.
Diabetic retinopathy, including diabetic macular oedema (DME), remains a leading cause of vision loss in working-age adults, affecting one in three people with diabetes. Patients with DME also face significantly higher healthcare costs than those with diabetes alone, reflecting the heavy burden of current treatment approaches that often require intensive and ongoing care.
By combining their capabilities, the two companies aim to create a novel therapy that could reduce treatment burden and provide new options for patients with diabetic retinopathy and related retinal diseases where high unmet needs persist.
Source: boehringer-ingelheim.com
