FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., March 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Cleveland Clinic Florida
(CCF) is beginning clinical trials of a new product to treat female stress
urinary incontinence, a progressively worsening condition commonly experienced
by women older than 40 years of age.
Urinary incontinence, which means the involuntary loss of urine, affects
about 16 million Americans, according to the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. Most victims are
women. The condition is considered one of the major causes of
institutionalization of the elderly.
The new urethral bulking agent, developed by Protein Polymer Technologies,
Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: PPTI), is in clinical testing at 3 facilities in the
United States. The trials at CCF, the only in Florida, will be directed by G.
Willy Davila, M.D., Chairman, Department of Gynecology at CCF who specializes
in urogynecology and urinary incontinence.
"We are very excited and optimistic about the potential results this new
product will provide our patients at Cleveland Clinic Florida. We hope it
will help our female patients suffering from stress urinary incontinence to
achieve continence," Dr. Davila said.
Said Harry K. Moon, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Cleveland Clinic
Florida: "At Cleveland Clinic Florida, we are committed to continuing to
remain at the leading edge of medical research and technology. Our
participation in this clinical trial confirms our commitment to finding newer
and better ways to provide our patients with the highest medical care and
attention."
PPTI's urethral bulking agent has been designed to address the
shortcomings in biocompatibility, ease of use, and durability associated with
other existing treatments. After injected, the product transforms from a
liquid to a hydrogel, forming a solid implant and, as a result, is expected to
enable patients to remain "dry" longer than patients treated with other
product formulations.
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.
Cleveland Clinic Florida is an integral part of The Cleveland Clinic
Foundation in Ohio, a not-for-profit, multi-specialty referral group practice
renowned worldwide for providing outstanding medical excellence with an
emphasis on research and education. Cleveland Clinic Florida has more than
150 physicians with expertise in more than 40 specialties. It has facilities
in Fort Lauderdale, Naples and Weston.
Cleveland Clinic Florida expects its medical staff to grow during the next
few years to more than 250 salaried physicians. Cleveland Clinic Florida
currently is building a $150 million medical campus and hospital in Weston, as
well as a 70-bed hospital in Naples. The Weston campus is scheduled to open
July 2001 and the Naples hospital in Spring 2001. For more information about
Cleveland Clinic Florida, visit its Web site at
http://www.clevelandclinic.org/florida.
SOURCE Protein Polymer Technologies, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.clevelandclinic.org/florida
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/721876.html or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 721876
CONTACT:
Melisa Mendez of Cleveland Clinic Florida,
305-261-6222, or 877-261-6222; or J. Thomas Parmeter of Protein
Polymer Technologies, 858-558-6064
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