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U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Action Strengthens Protein Polymer's Core Intellectual Property

    SAN DIEGO, March 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Protein Polymer
Technologies, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: PPTI.OB), today announced that the
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has reaffirmed the patentability of claims in
a fundamental patent in the Company's Intellectual property portfolio of 25
U.S. Patents and comparable foreign filings.  Based on an unsuccessful
challenge from a potential competitor, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
issued PPTI an Ex Parte Reexamination Certificate for Patent No. 5,243,038
entitled "Construction of Synthetic DNA and Its Use in Large Polypeptide
Synthesis."  The '038 patent was the first U.S. patent to issue, out of a
series of seven patents, claiming protein compositions comprising repeating
units of amino acids, and the DNA sequences encoding them.  The novel
repetitive nature of these proteins enables the creation of bioactive products
with unique materials properties.
    The requested reexamination was based on an assertion that the claimed
invention was anticipated or obvious based on alleged prior art that was not
considered by the examiner during the original prosecution of the patent
application.  The result of the reexamination was a second determination that
the invention was patentable.  "This outcome further strengthens our
intellectual property portfolio covering products under development," said
PPTI's Chief Executive Officer, J. Thomas Parmeter.  "A number of people
attempted to develop this technology prior to our efforts, without success.
We are gratified that the patent office has again recognized our pioneering
invention in the field."

    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.  To date, PPTI has been issued twenty-five
U.S. patents on its core technology with corresponding issued and pending
patents in key international markets.

    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 raising adequate capital to continue operations 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 2003 Annual Report Form 10-KSB and subsequent three 2004
Quarterly Reports Form 10QSB, and other 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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CONTACT:
J. Thomas Parmeter, President, or John
Flowers, Vice President Planning and Operations, both of Protein
Polymer Technologies, +1-858-558-6064, info@ppti.com