Proprietary Core Technology Now Covered By 24 U.S. Patents

    SAN DIEGO, Oct. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Protein Polymer Technologies,
Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: PPTI), today announced that it had been granted its
23rd and 24th patents by the United States Patent and Trademark Office
(USPTO).
    "Synthetic Proteins for In Vivo Drug Delivery and Tissue Augmentation"
(U.S. 6,380,154) covers use of the Company's unique self-assembling hydrogels
for altering the physical dimensions of body tissues.  Currently in clinical
testing to treat female stress urinary incontinence, and also in clinical
testing to improve the appearance of the skin, the products based on this
technology are injected as liquids which then transform into elastic gels that
provide additional bulk to the tissues.  "Sealing or Filling Tissue Defects
using Polyfunctional Crosslinking Agents and Protein Polymers" (U.S.
6,423,333) covers use of the Company's chemically cross-linked adhesives to
fill and seal tissue defects where greater mechanical strength is required.
Products based on this technology are being developed for clinical use to
repair degenerated spinal discs in partnership with Spine Wave, Inc.

    PPTI has pioneered the development of a new polymer chemistry using
recombinant DNA technology that enables the design, production and formulation
of new protein-based materials for a variety of uses in the field of bioactive
devices.  PPTI's patent portfolio, comprising in addition 4 pending U.S.
patents, 11 issued and 15 pending foreign patents, provides the Company with
broad coverage of its core protein polymer technology including:

     -- Protein and DNA compositions of matter based broadly on repetitive
        amino acid sequences (protein polymers)

     -- Methods for preparing synthetic repetitive DNA (genes that direct the
        production of the proteins in host microorganisms)

     -- Protein and DNA compositions of matter specifically based on silk,
        elastin, and collagen repeat units, representing major structural
        protein designs found in nature

     -- Protein polymers that combine structural properties with biological
        and chemical activities, often unique to natural proteins

    Protein Polymer Technologies, Inc. (PPTI) is a San Diego-based company
focused on developing bioactive 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.
Additional products targeted for development include tissue adhesives and
sealants for general surgical use, 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 2001 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.

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