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Patents for Hair Loss, Degenerative Diseases issued to Dr. Peter H. Proctor February 11, 1998 HOUSTON, Feb. 10 /PRNewswire/ via Individual Inc. -- Independent drug developer Peter H. Proctor, PhD, MD announces the issue of two new US patents on February 3. These patents cover nitroxide spin labels, an important new class of drugs useful in the treatment of hair loss and other degenerative problems associated with aging. The patents grant broad claims for both topical and systemic uses for such agents. Besides hair loss, possible or proven applications include radiation protection, Altzheimers disease, Parkinsonism, heart attack, ALS, and stroke. Similarly, scientists at the skin-care company L'Oreal have shown that topical spin labels reverse skin aging, lines and wrinkles. Similar compounds even shut off cancer genes in the test tube. The spin labels are stabilized forms of nitric oxide, an important cellular messenger in blood pressure control, hair growth, brain function, and so forth. They have a very low order of toxicity. In addition to inhibiting other disease-causing processes, spin labels selectively block the reaction of another messenger substance, superoxide, with nitric oxide. This reaction makes the toxic compound peroxynitrite, important in many human diseases. The newly issued patents are US Patent 5,714,482, entitled "Topical Spin Labels and Method" and US patent 5,714,510, "Topical Proxyl Composition and Method." These patents are two of a series of eight US and foreign patents awarded to Dr. Proctor in this area. Nor is this the complete story... Two more similar patents have been allowed, but have not yet issued. "I first applied for these patents over a decade ago," says Dr. Proctor, "well before anyone understood their true therapeutic potential in preventing and treating degenerative diseases." This has since changed, with ongoing projects involving these agents at the National Institute of Aging, the NCI, and drug companies. Partially because of the breadth of claims, Dr. Proctor's patents were held up in the Patent office until recently. "I hope to develop licensing agreements for the further development of these agents," says Dr. Proctor, "particularly with drug companies which may already be looking at them." SOURCE Proctor Laboratories /CONTACT: Donna Rolling of Proctor Laboratories, 713-960-1616, or Fax: 713-960-9307, or E-mail: [log in to unmask] [Copyright 1998, PR Newswire] John Stafford -- http://pw2.netcom.com/~johnws/index.html -- [log in to unmask] ................... Si fallatis officium, quaestor infinitius eat se quicquam scire de factis vestris.