LAKE FOREST, Ill., April 20 /PRNewswireAsianet/ -- BBI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that it has changed its name to ProtoMed Inc. "The new name defines the essence of what our products accomplish, which is to reduce abnormally high levels of protease activity. If protease activity is uncontrolled, it can lead to a number of different diseases," stated Mahendra Shah, Ph.D., president of the company. "From our founding in 1996, we have dedicated ourselves to developing a novel class of serine protease inhibitors derived from soybeans, known as Bowman Birk Inhibitors." The company's lead drug, which is derived from soybeans, is called BBI Concentrate (BBIC). The Bowman Birk Inhibitors, also known as BBIs, are unique in that they interfere with cancer development in a variety of ways, including the suppression of oxygen radical production, the abnormal expression of oncogenes and the prevention of cancer invasion and metastases. BBIs also affect other key physiological pathways such as those involved in inflammation. The technology was developed by Dr. Ann Randtke Kennedy, Richard Chamberlain Professor of Research Oncology, Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Dr. Kennedy has been working with protease inhibitors such as BBIC since 1976, and is the author of over 150 scientific articles on disease prevention and treatment. "BBIC has been developed as a cancer chemopreventive drug over many years and has undergone extensive toxicity testing and has been found to be non-toxic, even at levels well above those being studied in human trials," said Dr. Kennedy. ProtoMed Inc., a privately held biopharmaceutical company, is a leader in the development of a novel class of serine protease inhibitors derived from soybeans known as the Bowman Birk Inhibitors. The company's strategy is to pursue rapid clinical development and regulatory approval of products that address major unmet medical needs. The company has exclusive rights to eight issued patents and has ongoing collaborations with the National Cancer Institute, Central Soya Company Inc., and Murty Pharmaceuticals Inc. The National Cancer Institute is currently funding a Phase II evaluation of the company's lead drug BBIC in patients with oral leukoplakia. The company is sponsoring a Phase I/II study, currently underway at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, utilizing BBIC in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. The company is also evaluating the product to reduce toxicity induced by radiation and chemotherapy and to treat inflammatory bowel diseases. SOURCE ProtoMed Inc. CONTACT: Dr. Mahendra Shah, President, of ProtoMed Inc.,847-295-8665, ext. 114, or Bala Venkataraman, Director of Strategic Planning, of EJ Financial Enterprises Inc., 847-295-8665, ext. 117/