STUDIES PRESENTED AT AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY IN NEW ORLEANS REAFFIRM EFFECTIVENESS OF GHK COPPER PEPTIDE TECHNOLOGY


REDMOND, WA—February 26, 2002—ProCyte Corporation, (OTCBB: PRCY), today announced that four new independent studies presented at the AAD in New Orleans have shown significant results in improving various skin conditions when using the Company’s patented GHK Copper Peptide compound. Areas evaluated included repair of signs of photoaging (sun damage), reducing fine lines and wrinkles and improving skin texture and firmness.

The first study by J.J. Leyden, MD, et al, compared a GHK Copper Peptide cream to a Vitamin K containing product in a series of 3 double blind studies involving 108 patients. The GHK Copper Peptide cream was found to significantly improve the eye area appearance and was better than the Vitamin K treatment for several efficacy and tolerance criteria such as, fine lines and skin firmness.

A second study by J.J. Leyden, MD, et al, compared GHK Copper Peptide facial cream to another popular skin care treatment as well as a placebo. There were a combined total of 86 patients in the eight and twelve week double blind studies. The studies showed skin treated with GHK Copper Peptide demonstrated rapid, visual overall improvements in skin roughness, clarity, fine lines and wrinkling and overall photodamage.

Also presented was a study evaluating the ProCyte patented GHK Copper Peptide compound in a liquid foundation and cream concealer over an 8-week period. The evaluations included visual grading of bare skin, biomechanical measurements for viscoelastic properties and subjective assessment including digital photography with significant improvements in all visual evaluations at 2 weeks. Additionally, viscoelastic properties improved and there was an increase of epidermal thickness.

The fourth study conducted by Thierry Oddos, et al, assessed the importance of complexed GHK Copper Peptide versus copper chloride (an inorganic salt), copper gluconate (an organic salt) and non-complexed copper with peptides in the development of new collagen. The patented complexed GHK Copper Peptide compound was shown to significantly stimulate collagen synthesis. Both copper salts failed to stimulate collagen synthesis. Treatment with non-complexed copper with peptides and copper chloride as separate ingredients within the same formulation at the same ratio as the GHK Copper Peptide compound did not stimulate collagen synthesis.

"The studies reaffirm our early work and current physician and consumer satisfaction with the performance of products containing GHK Copper Peptide in improving the visual effects of aging. The comparison of the patented ProCyte GHK Copper Peptide compound to organic and inorganic copper salts confirms once again the work on which ProCyte is founded" said Jack Clifford, President & CEO. "While others may claim they have a dynamic copper peptide compound, it takes more than copper and random amino acids thrown into a formulation to establish a molecularly complexed tripeptide copper that is similar to the natural system within the body. The GHK Peptide system used to transport copper is a critical part of ProCyte’s innovative research and patent estate and why our products are so effective. The use of our patented GHK Copper Peptide is gaining popularly in skin care and these studies reaffirm the reasons why."

ProCyte markets its Neova® Therapy brand of product directly to dermatologists and plastic surgeons through its own sales force. Products can also be purchased through physician Internet sites like dermadoctor.com. ProCyte has also licensed its technology to Neutrogena, a Johnson and Johnson Company that sells products under the Visibly Firm™ brand in the mass retail market.

Based on continuing research efforts, ProCyte expects to initiate new clinical study probes in targeted dermatology and oral applications for its GHK Copper Peptide compound. In conjunction with the plastic and cosmetic surgery market, the Company is also exploring the use of GHK Copper Peptide in conjunction with injectable collagen.

ProCyte Corporation is a healthcare products company that develops and markets products for skin health, hair care and wound care. The Company’s comprehensive therapeutic and anti-aging skin care lines include products for post-procedure treatments and anti-aging applications, as well as products for thinning hair. Many products incorporate the ProCyte patented, clinically proven Copper Peptide technology, which it markets directly to Dermatologists and plastic surgeons through the Company’s own sales force and through distribution partners and licensees for wound care and consumer market segments.

This release may contain forward-looking statements relating to the research, development, commercialization, production, marketing and distribution of the Company's products and future operating results that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. The words "believe," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," variations of such words, and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, but their absence does not mean that the statement is not forward-looking. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. [Factors that could affect the Company’s actual results include its ability to develop, commercialize and produce new products, the market acceptance of existing and potential future products, the availability, cost and timely delivery of materials and services from and performance of third party suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, licensees and other collaborative partners, the satisfaction of regulatory requirements, and the receipt, timing, terms and conditions of required regulatory approvals.] Reference is made to the Company’s latest Quarterly Report on Form 10Q or Form 10K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a more detailed description of such factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect new information, events or circumstances after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.