FORMER U.S. SURGICAL OFFICER JOINS PROTEIN POLYMER TECHNOLOGIES AS SENIOR
ADVISOR.
Will Focus on Development of Surgical Sealant Applications Using PPTI’sİ
Bioactive Platform Technology
SAN DIEGO, CA – June 26, 2003 -- Protein Polymer Technologies, Inc.
(OTC Bulletin Board: PPTI), a company focused on high performance bioactive
devices designed for improved surgical outcomes, announced today the hiring
of Donald Kaplan, Ph.D., to coordinate the development of the company’s
surgical adhesives and sealants program.
Dr. Kaplan is the former Senior Vice President, Operations and Technology
at U.S. Surgical Corporation where he was responsible for research and development,
quality control, regulatory affairs and manufacturing. U.S. Surgical, now
a subsidiary of Tyco, Inc., is an international market leader in the development
and sale of surgery and wound closure devices. Prior to U.S. Surgical, Dr.
Kaplan was Head of Research and Development at ORMCO, a division of American
Hospital Supply. Dr. Kaplan has an extensiveİ background in medical devices,
biotechnology, polymer chemistry, and materials science.
The Company recently announced a transitional financing to fund its new
strategic plan which includes (1) acceleration of currently active clinical
trials and (2) development and partnering of additional bioactive device
applications based on the company’s platform technology. In line with
the strategic plan, Dr. Kaplan was retained as a senior advisor to focus
on the development of surgical sealant and adhesive applications and to
coordinate these activities with the overall strategic plan implementation.
In addition to his technical leadership, Dr. Kaplan will also help identify
potential commercialization and partnership opportunities for the surgical
adhesive and sealants technology platform.İ
ìDr. Kaplanís extensive technical background and thorough understanding
of the factors that shape demand in the surgical markets add important dimensions
to PPTIís product development interests in the surgical sealants and adhesives
area. There are a number of potential products which address large markets
that can be pursued with our technology, and Dr. Kaplan brings both the
expertise and the experience to help us identify and execute our product
development and strategic partnering plans in this valuable sector,î commented
J. Thomas Parmeter, President and Chief Executive Officer of Protein Polymer
Technologies.
Protein Polymer Technologies, Inc., is a San Diego-based company focused
on developing products to improve medical and surgical outcomes.İ From its
inception in 1988, PPTI has been a pioneer in protein design and synthesis,
creating an extensive portfolio of proprietary biomaterials for use in the
development of bioactive devices.İ These genetically engineered biomaterials
are high molecular weight proteins, processed into products with physical
and biological characteristics tailored to specific clinical performance
requirements.İ 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, scaffolds
for wound healing and tissue engineering, and depots for local drug delivery.İ
To date, PPTI has been issued twenty-four U.S. Patents on its core technology
with corresponding issued and pending patents in key international markets.
CONTACTS:
J. Thomas Parmeter
President
John E. Flowersİİİİİİİİİİİ
Vice President, Planning and Operations
(858) 558-6064 e-mail: info@ppti.com
