CHICAGO, Sept. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday Periodontix, Inc. participated
in the Illinois Venture Capital Conference as one of twenty private companies
from high growth industries selected to present their business plans to
potential investors.
    Periodontix, Inc. is a development stage biopharmaceutical company founded
in 1993 to develop clinically effective, therapeutic products to treat and
prevent periodontal disease, an infection of the gums.  Currently, a limited
number of therapeutic products are available to treat this widespread, costly
disease.  Studies estimate 70% of the U.S. population over the age of 45 have
some form of the disease.  This population is expected to grow over 50% in the
next 15 years as "baby boomers" age.  Approximately 50% of the over
$40 billion spent each year in the U.S. for dental care is related to treating
periodontal disease and repairing the damage it causes (tooth extraction &
replacement).
    The Company is developing a broad line of therapeutic products targeting
this chronic infection based on several innovative, proprietary, antimicrobial
technologies.  The Company's lead products are based on natural antimicrobial
proteins found in human saliva, called histatins.  The active fragment of the
histatin protein discovered by Periodontix is called P-113.  This peptide has
been formulated into two products.  The first product, Histat(TM) Gingivitis
Gel, is being developed to treat early stage disease known as gingivitis.  The
second, HistaWash(TM) Mouthwash, is being tested to prevent recurrence of
gingivitis.  Currently both products have completed Phase 2 clinical trials
and data analysis is underway.
    The Company's other antimicrobial technologies are being developed for
products to treat periodontitis, the advanced stage of periodontal disease.
Here an infected pocket forms below the gum line that begins to destroy the
supporting structures of the tooth.  Phase 1 clinical studies will be
initiated for the first periodontitis product before year-end.  The second
product is in advanced pre-clinical development having completed initial
animal studies.
    Finally, the Company has been able to leverage its core antimicrobial
technologies in other chronic infectious diseases.  Currently products are
under development to treat Candidiasis in immune compromised patients and lung
infections in cystic fibrosis patients.  Both products are in the pre-clinical
development stage.
    Periodontix will begin raising its fourth round of capital in early 1999
to fund continuing clinical and pre-clinical testing of its products.

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