SAN DIEGO, Feb. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Protein Polymer Technologies, Inc.
(OTC Bulletin Board: PPTI), today announced FDA approval to initiate human
clinical trials of its injectable product for the correction of dermal contour
deficiencies (facial lines, wrinkles, and scars) caused by aging and
environmental exposure, disease such as acne and cancer, and surgery. Trials
are expected to begin later this month. The product formulation is based on
one of the Company's patented silk-elastin polymers. Once injected into the
skin, the solution irreversibly transforms into a pliable hydrogel that is
expected to yield a pleasing, durable cosmetic effect.
PPTI's dermal augmentation product has completed preclinical testing and
an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) has been approved by the FDA to
begin human clinical testing. Preclinical studies in animals have shown the
product to be effective for contour correction, easy to use, biocompatible,
resistant to migration, and more durable than other products currently being
marketed. Last year, Protein Polymer initiated human clinical trials of a
similar product formulation for women suffering from stress urinary
incontinence. This injectable product is designed to eliminate or alleviate
female stress incontinence by adding bulk to muscles at the base of the
bladder to increase control over the release of urine.
"Both population demographics and increased demand for improving one's
appearance through cosmetic procedures make this an exciting, growing market,"
said J. Thomas Parmeter, President and Chief Executive Officer of Protein
Polymer Technologies, Inc. "Dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons continue to
seek safe, effective, and more durable treatments for correcting facial
contour deficiencies in response to patient demand. This unique dermal
contouring product, in addition to the stress urinary incontinence product
already in clinical trials, fits our overall goal of providing new classes of
high performance biomaterials designed through genetic and protein engineering
to meet present and future needs in tissue repair and drug delivery."
Protein Polymer Technologies, Inc. (PPTI), is a San Diego-based company
focused on developing products to improve medical and surgical outcomes. From
its inception in 1988, PPTI has been a pioneer in protein polymer design and
synthesis, developing an extensive portfolio of proprietary biomaterials.
These genetically engineered biomaterials are high molecular weight proteins,
processed into products with physical and biological characteristics tailored
to specific clinical performance requirements. Targeted products in addition
to its dermal contouring product include a urethral bulking agent for the
treatment of stress urinary incontinence, tissue adhesives and sealants,
scaffolds for wound healing and tissue engineering, and depots for local drug
delivery.
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based on
management's views and expectations. Actual results could differ materially
from those expressed here; further, the Company is not obligated to comment
specifically on those differences. Risks associated with the Company's
activities include scientific and product development uncertainties,
competitive products and approaches, continuing collaborative partnership
interest and funding, regulatory testing and approvals, and manufacturing
scale-up. The reader is encouraged to refer to the Company's 1999 Annual
Report and 10-KSB, and recent filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, copies of which are available from the Company, to further
ascertain the risks associated with the above statements.
SOURCE Protein Polymer Technologies, Inc.
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Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/721876.html or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 721876
CONTACT:
J. Thomas Parmeter, President, or John E.
Flowers, Vice President, Operations, both of Protein Polymer
Technologies, Inc., 619-558-6064
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