3960 Broadway
New York, NY 10032

Tel:    646-218-1850
Fax:   212-740-2570
Email: ir@forticellbioscience.com

About Forticell Bioscience, Inc.

 

About the Company

Mission Statement

Management Team

Board of Directors

Location & Directions

Careers

Investor Relations

Whats New

Archives

Press Release

For Immediate Release
Ortec Obtains Second U.S. Patent Allowance on Haptide Cell Attachme Technology
------------------------------
New York, NY – (PR NewsWire) – September 20, 2006 – Ortec International, Inc. (OTCI), a company focused on advancing regenerative medicine through the development of cellular technology and advanced biomaterial products, has received notification from the U.S. patent office that claims contained in its second patent application related to its Haptides™ technology platform, have been allowed. The newly granted claims broaden the claims previously granted to Ortec by the United States Patent Office in June 2006.  The patents incorporating the claims contained in both Notices of Allowance are expected to be issued within the next six months.

Ron Lipstein, Ortec’s Vice Chairman and CEO, stated, “This represents the second patent to be granted in the U.S. covering the Haptides™ technology, a versatile technology which we believe can improve the efficacy of an array of current biomaterials in the market place today.  We are actively pursuing licensing opportunities with this proprietary peptide with companies focused on the orthopedic, dental, and cosmetic markets, and we believe the newly granted claims further enhances Haptides™ potential value.”
 
Haptides™, developed at Hapto Biotech, Israel, Ortec’s wholly owned subsidiary, comprise proprietary synthetic peptides that mimic the mechanism by which cells attach to the blood clot protein, fibrinogen, and may improve the activity of a variety of biomaterials by accelerating the attachment of cells. This technology can be used to coat or incorporate Haptides™ into existing bioactive or inert biomaterials and implants. Application of Haptides™ could therefore have a major impact on a variety of medical materials and devices in the areas of cosmetic tissue augmentation, wound healing, periodontal surgery and orthopedics.
 
About Ortec International, Inc.
Ortec International, Inc. (OTCI) is a company focused on advancing regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy through the development and commercialization of innovative products by combining advanced cell technology and advanced biomaterials. Ortec’s lead product is OrCel® (Bilayered Cellular Matrix). Ortec’s current focus is the application of OrCel® to heal chronic and acute wounds. OrCel® is composed of a collagen sponge seeded with allogeneic epidermal and dermal cells. These cells secrete growth factors and cytokines normally found in acute human wounds and are believed to have a beneficial role in promoting tissue repair.

A pivotal clinical trial evaluating a cryopreserved version of OrCel® in the treatment of venous leg ulcers has been completed and a Pre Market Approval (PMA) application has been filed. Ortec has completed a confirmatory trial requested by the FDA, and the data from this trial are expected to be integrated with the results of the pivotal clinical trial and submitted as a clinical supplement to its PMA filing. Ortec has already obtained FDA approvals for use of a non-frozen version of OrCel® in the treatment of Epidermolysis Bullosa and donor sites in burn patients.  In addition, the FDA has granted Ortec approval to initiate a pivotal (Phase III) trial evaluating OrCel® for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.

Ortec recently acquired two fibrin derived advanced biomaterial technologies, Fibrin MB and Haptides™.  Fibrin MB has the potential to play a significant role in advancing stem cell therapy having demonstrated the ability to efficiently recover adult stem cells and allow for their growth, differentiation, and potential reimplantation into the patient. Haptides™ utilize proprietary synthetic peptides that mimic the mechanism of cell attachment to fibrin. These peptides have demonstrated the ability to significantly enhance cell attraction and attachment providing the potential to use Haptides™ in the development of product opportunities applicable to the cosmetic tissue augmentation, wound healing, orthopedics, and drug delivery markets.

This news release may contain "forward-looking statements" for the purposes of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission's "safe harbor" provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Rule 3B-6 under The Exchange Act. Without limitation, statements regarding expected FDA approvals, clinical trial results, product performance, expectations with respect to sales, gross margins, research and development expenditures, earnings per share, capital expenditures, collaborations, or other expansion opportunities would be “forward-looking statements.” These statements may be identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "believes" or similar expressions in connection with any discussion of future financial and operating performance. The forward-looking statements contained herein involve risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from the Company's expectations including but not limited to, global economic trends, competitive pricing or product developments, government legislation and/or regulations, technology, manufacturing, legal and patent issues, suppliers, capital availability, personnel changes, cancellation or delays in renewal of contracts, and lack of suitable raw materials or packaging materials. Investors are cautioned to review risk factors in the Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
Elite Financial Communications Group, LLC
Dodi Handy, 407-585-1080 or via email at OTCI.OB@efcg.net


   Home   |   About Us   |   Product & Technology   |   Investor Relations   |   Contact   |   Site Map