US firm expands incontinence gel trials:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Protein Polymer Technologies has added an additional clinical centre to accelerate human testing of its urethral bulking agent for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence. The product, which is being tested under an investigational device exemption, is injected into the tissues surrounding the sphincter at the base of the bladder where it forms a firm hydrogel to narrow the urethra lumen and prevent urine leakage. The San Diego, California firm expects to launch the product in the US in 2005. The company adds that estimates shows that over $3 billion is spent in the US every year on incontinence-related care.