Jul 2 2007
Protein Polymer Technologies, Inc., a biotechnology device company that is a pioneer in protein design and synthesis, announced today that they have entered into an agreement with a multinational pharmaceutical and medical device company. According to the agreement, PPTI will provide genetically engineered protein polymer biomaterials for use as surgical sealants. "Our sealant products have consistently performed well in evaluations by our corporate partners. We are excited about their demonstrated potential and look forward to further product development," said William N. Plamondon, CEO of Protein Polymer Technologies, Inc.
Wound closure after surgery or trauma using conventional sutures and staples sometimes results in post-operative complications such as persistent internal bleeding, fluid leaks after gastrointestinal surgery, or air leaks after lung surgery. In 2005, it was estimated that 70 million surgical procedures worldwide would benefit from the use of surgical sealants, glues and other wound closure products used in conjunction with sutures and staples. PPTI believes its protein polymer sealants and adhesives can improve the outcome of surgical wound closure by substantially reducing fluid and air leaks, especially as applied to endoscopic procedures in which access to the traumatized tissue is limited.
PPTI is also in discussions with several U.S. and international biotechnology and medical device companies, which are evaluating PPTI's adhesion barrier and drug delivery product applications. These products are intended to improve surgical outcomes by reducing adhesion formation and delivering to the surgical site beneficial pharmacological agents.