VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 2, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- The following is being issued by ProtoKinetix Inc. (OTCBB:PKTX):
As previously announced, the scientific community is well aware of the extraordinary properties of AFGPs (antifreeze glycoproteins) in cell and tissue preservation. To date, the only reliable source of this remarkable and highly valuable molecule has been its extraction from cold water fish. Dr. G. Castelot Deliencourt-Godefroy, of the Applied Sciences National Institute (INSA) Rouen in France, believes that the isolation of such compounds from natural media is costly and difficult. Furthermore, she believes glyco-derivative compounds have a weak anomeric bond which leads to an unstable molecule, and this instability is one of the major limitations in the use of carbohydrates as drugs. The challenge is to develop analogs which are sufficiently stable for commercial applications.
Thanks to the methodology patented by the INSA of Rouen, the analogs of natural AFGP have been successfully synthesized with CF2 and this has produced a stable, synthetic AFGP. This patented chemical process by which the synthetic AFGP is manufactured readily lends itself to mass production.
Professor Jean-Charles Quirion, Director of the Laboratory in Rouen, informed ProtoKinetix today that the provisional French patent applications for synthetic AFGP have now been completed. All of the AFGPs produced under this patented process and the resulting Intellectual Property become the property of Protokinetix Inc. The Company intends to rapidly exploit the potential of this very unique family of molecules.
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