Bremelanotide for Organ Protection and Related Indications

Organ damage, particularly kidney damage, is a recognized complication of many surgical procedures, including cardiac surgeries involving use of a heart-lung machine (cardiopulmonary bypass).  Patients with acute renal (kidney) failure resulting from surgery have higher death rates, longer hospital stays, and may require dialysis.  Ischemia–reperfusion injury (injury resulting from inadequate blood flow or reintroduction of blood flow) and inflammation are believed to be primary contributors to surgically-induced organ injury. 
There are no approved drugs for prevention of acute renal injury secondary to cardiac surgery. This remains a major unmet medical need.  Palatin Technologies is developing bremelanotide for this and related indications.

Bremelanotide, formerly in development by Palatin for sexual dysfunction, has demonstrated increased survival rates and organ protection following administration in animal models of hemorrhagic shock.  In studies by other groups, melanocortin agonist compounds have shown increased survival and decreased organ injury in ischemia and reperfusion injury models.

Other potential indications include improvement in survival and prevention of organ dysfunction in patients with traumatic injuries resulting in hemorrhagic shock.  This patient population includes potential emergency medicine and military applications.

For more information on Bremelanotide for Organ Protection and Related Indications, download the fact sheet.