VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 27, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- ProtoKinetix, Inc. (OTCBB:PKTX) management has identified the first three product lines ready for commercial development. This family of commercially viable synthetic AFGPs (Anti Freeze Glyco Proteins) has been proven to be stable, non-toxic and highly effective in:
1. the extension of the shelf life of blood cells; 2. stabilizing delicate cells through transition; 3. enhancing the viability of tissues and organs; and 4. the protection of cells under hostile conditions.
These unique characteristics of the ProtoKinetix's synthetic AFGP molecule have enabled the Company to initiate economic dialogue and testing with corporations and institutions in the following business areas:
A. Blood and Blood Product Preservation
The current status of blood product preservation development is as follows:
-- testing for stability has been completed by the University
of Rouen, France
-- toxicology testing completed by the National Institute
of Chemistry in France
-- Ab Initio Efficacy conducted by ProteoCell, of Laval,
Quebec, on red blood cells and blood platelets
-- both Monomeric and Dimeric AFGP show excellent results
on cell preservation
-- advanced testing is being conducted by the Etablissment
Francais du Sang - Alsace (EFS)
-- EFS is one of the world's largest blood specialty
laboratories
-- the AFGP project is headed up by its Director, Prof.
Jean-Louis Cazenave, one of the leading authorities in
haematology
B. Tissue and Organ Transplants
The current status of tissue and organ preservation for transplantation are as follows:
-- stability testing completed
-- toxicology testing completed
-- mesothelial rat heart cells showed 95% survival after
16-hours at -3 degrees C
-- testing on heart muscle tissue has commenced
-- full heart transplants to be conducted before the end of 2005
C. Cell Protection for Cosmetic Skin Care Products
The current status of AFGP to be used in skin care products is as follows:
-- testing to commence on Keratinocytes to begin in early
August, 2005
-- testing will include a wide range of temperatures,
relative humidities, ph and other stress factors.
-- dialogue with the cosmetics industry has begun and formal
product presentations will commence September, 2005
Each of the above market segments, independently, is a multi-billion dollar business and has the potential to produce significant revenue for ProtoKinetix. Because ProtoKinetix owns the exclusive worldwide rights to the only proven stable synthetic AFGP, the Board of Directors believes that the Company can be a significant factor in the world market of organ, tissue and cell survival.
About ProtoKinetix:
ProtoKinetix, Inc. is a scientific development company whose mission is the advancement of human health care. The Company's first entry into the commercial market place will be the launch of the first synthetically replicated antifreeze glycoprotein (AFGP). PKTX has developed a unique business model that brings together a vast pool of world recognized intellectual talent in a networked environment. This integrated scientific approach combines the disciplines of physics, chemistry and molecular biology in order to fast track product development.
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. Some information included in this press release contains statements that are forward-looking. Such forward-looking information involves significant risks and uncertainties that could affect anticipated results in the future and, accordingly, these results may differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company. For a description of additional risks and uncertainties, please refer to the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
Dr. John Todd, President