PROTEIN POLYMER TECHNOLOGIES REPORTS INCREASE IN CONTRACT REVENUE
SAN DIEGO, June 13, 2002 -- Protein Polymer Technologies, Inc. (OTC Bulletin
Board: PPTI), reports today that contract revenue for the first five months
of 2002 is greater than had been previously anticipated. Unaudited financial
results through the end of May showed contract revenue of $942,000, almost
twice the estimated amount for the period used in prior management projections.
As a result, the Company now believes that cash on hand will last through
August 2002 instead of June 2002 as previously had been indicated in the
Company’s Annual Report. The Company continues to explore new capital
alternatives.
The increase is largely due to the Company’s expanded role in Spinal
Wave’s Spinal disc repair project, the Injectable Disc Nucleus (IDN).
The goal of this project is to develop and commercialize an injectable protein-based
formulation for the repair of Spinal discs damaged either by injury or aging.
Based on PPTI’s proprietary tissue adhesive technology, the initial
product under development has the potential to be utilized in a number of
Spinal procedures including discectomy and the treatment of chronic low
back pain.
Spinal Wave has licensed PPTI’s tissue adhesive technology for the
Spinal and other orthopedic applications. As previously announced, the companies
amended their “Supply and Services” contract, with PPTI assuming
responsibility for the preclinical studies needed to file an Investigational
Device Exemption (IDE) with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requesting
permission to begin human clinical testing. In addition, PPTI committed
to providing increased technical services in support of the IDE filing.
To date, these services have been used to a greater degree than originally
planned. Assuming additional capital is obtained, PPTI anticipates contract
revenue will continue to be greater than earlier projected throughout the
remainder of 2002.
Protein Polymer Technologies, Inc., is a 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, dermal augmentation
products for cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, surgical adhesives and
sealants for repair of Spinal discs and other surgical applications, scaffolds
for wound healing and tissue engineering, and depots for local drug delivery.
CONTACTS:
J. Thomas Parmeter
President
Janis Y. Neves
Director of Finance & Administration
(858) 558-6064 info@ppti.com