ADVISORY/Researchers Create New Means to Fight Bacterial Infections.

Business Editors

ADVISORY...

--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 26, 2001

TOPIC: During a study funded by the National Institutes of Health, researchers
allegedly have created a new means of fighting bacterial infections, according
to an article by Reuters Health. A team of chemists reportedly has made a
synthetic peptide that includes antimicrobial properties that can, allegedly,
penetrate tissue easier than natural peptides. The report appears in the July
26th issue of Nature. Researchers gave the synthetic peptide to mice infected
with methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus and found that the majority of
the mice recovered from the infection, while the mice in the comparison group
who were not given the treatment died due to the infection. EXPERTS:
ExpertSource can offer several highly qualified experts to comment on this
story:

Since founding Commonwealth Biotechnologies, Inc., in 1992 with three other partners, Dr. Richard J. Freer has served as Chairman of the Board and as a Director of the Company. Dr. Freer is the co-author of more than 150 peer reviewed journal articles and book chapters, in his area of research expertise, molecular pharmacology, peptide receptors, and is a co-inventor of 2 US patents. Dr. Freer is a former Established Investigator of the American Heart Association and a National Institutes of Health Fogarty Senior International Fellow. PR: Ballas & Partners ([e-mail], 804/278-9901).

Mr. Pier Carlo Montecucchi is CEO of Montegen. He has been involved in basic research (peptide / protein chemistry), in biotechnology business and in managing technology as a strategic resource. The structure determination of: (i) dermorphin (the first example of a Vertebrate peptide with a D-aminoacid in its sequence)) (ii) sauvagine (an amphibian polypeptide analogue to the corticotropin-releasing factor (=CRF); the structure elucidation of sauvagine has anticipated that of CRH) represent two relevant scientific results. He is the author of referred research papers, chapters in books and patents. 212/208-2647, 305/776-2241, [e-mail]

Professor Max Deinzer, of Oregon State University, Department of Chemistry, can provide expert commentary on organic chemistry, proteins and peptides. 541/737-1773

Professor Jeff F. Miller, of University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine, is an expert regarding health sciences, immunology and bacterial infection. 310/206-7926, 310/825-4321 (University PR Phone)

ExpertSource cannot guarantee the immediate availability of these experts or their familiarity with this specific issue.

ExpertSource, a collaboration of Business Wire and The Round Table Group, provides academic and industry experts to the media at no charge. Journalists are encouraged to submit queries to ExpertSource when seeking experts on specific subjects. An online registration form is available at http://www.businesswire.com/expertsource.

Business Wire's Media Resource Center provides working journalists many free media services. Please visit the BW Media Resource Center at (www.businesswire.com/media) for more information.