Protein Polymer Announces the Initiation of Clinical Trials For Its Unique Dermal Augmentation Product

    SAN DIEGO, February 7 -- Protein Polymer Technologies, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: PPTI), today announced FDA approval to initiate human clinical trials of its injectable product for the correction of dermal contour deficiencies (facial lines, wrinkles, and scars) caused by aging and environmental exposure, disease such as acne and cancer, and surgery. Trials are expected to begin later this month. The product formulation is based on one of the Company's patented silk-elastin polymers. Once injected into the skin, the solution irreversibly transforms into a pliable hydrogel that is expected to yield a pleasing, durable cosmetic effect.
    PPTI's dermal augmentation product has completed preclinical testing and an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) has been approved by the FDA to begin human clinical testing. Preclinical studies in animals have shown the product to be effective for contour correction, easy to use, biocompatible, resistant to migration, and more durable than other products currently being marketed. Last year, Protein Polymer initiated human clinical trials of a similar product formulation for women suffering from stress urinary incontinence. This injectable product is designed to eliminate or alleviate female stress incontinence by adding bulk to muscles at the base of the bladder to increase control over the release of urine.
    "Both population demographics and increased demand for improving one's appearance through cosmetic procedures make this an exciting, growing market," said J. Thomas Parmeter, President and Chief Executive Officer of Protein Polymer Technologies, Inc. "Dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons continue to seek safe, effective, and more durable treatments for correcting facial contour deficiencies in response to patient demand. This unique dermal contouring product, in addition to the stress urinary incontinence product already in clinical trials, fits our overall goal of providing new classes of high performance biomaterials designed through genetic and protein engineering to meet present and future needs in tissue repair and drug delivery."

    Protein Polymer Technologies, Inc. (PPTI), is a San Diego-based company focused on developing 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. Targeted products in addition to its dermal contouring product include a urethral bulking agent for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence, tissue adhesives and sealants, 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 1999 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.