SAN DIEGO, Feb. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Protein Polymer Technologies, Inc.
(OTC Bulletin Board: PPTI) announced today that the U.S. Patent and Trademark
Office (USPTO) has granted PPTI another patent with broad composition of
matter claims based on its core protein engineering technology. Including
U.S. Patent Number 6,018,030 issued on January 25, 2000, PPTI currently has
fifteen issued U.S. patents, and nine patent applications pending, two of
which have been allowed. Corresponding patent applications have been filed in
major international markets, with fourteen issued foreign patents and thirty-
one foreign patents pending.
The newly issued claims extend the scope of the patent issued in 1998 that
covered recombinant proteins consisting of relatively short sequences of amino
acids found to be repeated in natural proteins. The newly issued patent
covers the corresponding DNA sequences and cells comprising those sequences.
These "repeat unit" sequences are used by PPTI scientists as building blocks
for creating "protein polymers" that have unique materials properties due to
the repetition of these sequences throughout the polymer molecules. Silk and
collagen are but two of the many natural proteins whose valuable properties
result from such repeat units.
The value of the proprietary technology platform established by PPTI is
based on the capability to create new proteins, ones not found in nature,
which have new and improved properties that can be manufactured reproducibly
and economically in a useful form, particularly for use in medical products.
The protein polymers PPTI creates may isolate and amplify properties found in
natural proteins, introduce completely new properties, or combine properties
found in two or more natural proteins.
The protein polymers are made by using recombinant DNA technology to
create synthetic genes which direct host cells, typically bacteria, to produce
the protein designed by PPTI's scientists. By using a genetic template to
direct the production process, high molecular weight polymers are created with
an exquisite degree of control over their composition and properties. Such
control is required in the natural production of proteins which sustain life,
but has been unobtainable using traditional synthetic polymer chemistry.
"This latest patent continues to fortify our pioneering position in the
field of biomaterials," said J. Thomas Parmeter, President and Chief Executive
Officer of Protein Polymer Technologies, Inc. "Our strategic, layered
approach to intellectual property protection has resulted in a patent
portfolio that now broadly covers both protein and DNA compositions, the
recombinant DNA methods used to create the genes which express the proteins,
methods for purifying the protein compositions, and products and methods of
use which are based on the protein compositions. Of particular importance,
this latest patent covers multiple aspects of the polymer component of our
urethral bulking agent for female stress urinary incontinence, which began
initial human clinical trials at the end of 1999."
Protein Polymer Technologies, Inc., 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 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 include
urethral bulking agents for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence,
dermal augmentation products for cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, surgical
adhesives and sealants, scaffolds for wound healing and tissue engineering,
and depots for local drug delivery.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements that are based
on management's 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 1998 Annual
Report and 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. PPTI's press releases are on the
internet at http://www.prnewswire.com. To have press releases faxed, call
(800)758-5804 extension 721876.
SOURCE Protein Polymer Technologies, Inc.
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http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/721876.html or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 721876
CONTACT:
John E. Flowers, Vice President, Planning &
Operations of Protein Polymer Technologies, Inc., 858-558-6064,
info@ppti.com
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