SAN DIEGO, March 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Protein Polymer Technologies, Inc.
(OTC Bulletin Board: PPTI), today announced that it has begun recruiting
patients for a pilot clinical study of the safety and effectiveness of PPTI's
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. The product formulation is
based on one of the Company's patented silk-elastin polymers. Once injected
into the skin, and following physician manipulation for cosmetic effect, the
solution irreversibly transforms into a pliable hydrogel that is expected to
yield a pleasing, durable cosmetic effect.
PPTI's preclinical studies that supported the approval of an
Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) to begin the pilot clinical study have
shown the product to be effective for contour correction, easy to use,
biocompatible, and resistant to migration. Preclinical studies also
demonstrated that PPTI's product was significantly more durable than the
leading collagen-based product marketed for dermal augmentation.
"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 product is an ideal
fit with our 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 regeneration."
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 adhesive bulking agent for
the treatment of stress urinary incontinence, tissue adhesive and sealant
formulations for the repair of spinal discs, 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 2000 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.
 back to top
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., 858-558-6064
|
