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

    SAN DIEGO, March 29 -- Protein Polymer Technologies, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: PPTI), today announced that it has begun recruiting patients for a pilot clinical study of the safety and effectiveness of PPTI's 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. The product formulation is based on one of the Company's patented silk-elastin polymers. Once injected into the skin, and following physician manipulation for cosmetic effect, the solution irreversibly transforms into a pliable hydrogel that is expected to yield a pleasing, durable cosmetic effect.
    PPTI's preclinical studies that supported the approval of an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) to begin the pilot clinical study have shown the product to be effective for contour correction, easy to use, biocompatible, and resistant to migration. Preclinical studies also demonstrated that PPTI's product was significantly more durable than the leading collagen-based product marketed for dermal augmentation.
    "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 product is an ideal fit with our 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 regeneration."

    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 adhesive bulking agent for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence, tissue adhesive and sealant formulations for the repair of Spinal discs, 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 2000 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.