SAN DIEGO, April 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Protein Polymer Technologies, Inc.
(OTC Bulletin Board: PPTI) announced today that the U.S. Patent and Trademark
Office (USPTO) has granted it a key methods patent based on its tissue
adhesive technology. PPTI currently has sixteen issued U.S. patents, and
eight patent applications pending, one 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 issued claims of U.S. Patent Number 6,015,474 cover methods of closing
and sealing wounds or tissue defects using a primer and a protein-based tissue
adhesive (natural or recombinant) as well as the composition comprising the
primer and tissue adhesive. The claimed primers are several different
categories of molecules which PPTI scientists demonstrated to be useful for
increasing the strength of the bond obtained between protein-based adhesives
and tissues. Increases in adhesive strength can be dramatic, often 5-fold
greater than when the adhesive system is used alone. The methods were
determined to be useful not only for PPTI's tissue adhesive formulations but
also for commercially available fibrin sealants, limited principally to
hemostatic applications by their poor bond strength.
The many different tissues within the body which may be involved in
applications for tissue adhesives or sealants are different in their
composition, structure, and chemical nature. As a result, a single tissue
adhesive system can perform much differently in one application versus
another. PPTI found that by using different types of primers, a single tissue
adhesive system's performance can be maintained across a variety of tissue
types, greatly simplifying the development effort required to create tissue
adhesive products having broad utility.
"This latest patent is an important addition to our tissue adhesive
technology platform," said J. Thomas Parmeter, President and Chief Executive
Officer of Protein Polymer Technologies, Inc. "It provides additional
protection over and above our patented polymer compositions and chemical
cross-linking systems and the technology yields impressive improvements in
product performance."
Protein Polymer Technologies, Inc., is a San Diego-based biotechnology
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 now in clinical trials, 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 1999 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., 619-558-6064,
info@ppti.com
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