Pervasis Therapeutics Appoints Frank Litvack, M.D., Former CEO of Conor Medsystems,...

Pervasis Therapeutics Appoints Frank Litvack, M.D., Former CEO of Conor Medsystems, to its Board of Directors

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(Business Wire)--
Pervasis Therapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology company pioneering
regenerative biologically active therapies and devices to treat
serious illnesses, today announced the appointment of Frank Litvack,
M.D., Professor, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of
California, Los Angeles, and former chairman and chief executive
officer of Conor Medsystems, to its Board of Directors.

"We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Litvack to our Board of
Directors," said Stephen Bollinger, president and chief operating
officer of Pervasis Therapeutics. "Frank brings extensive experience
effectuating business development deals in emerging biotechnology
companies, as well as strong leadership in the internal medicine and
cardiovascular fields. His impressive entrepreneurial spirit, most
recently proven through his leadership at Conor Medsystems during its
acquisition by Johnson & Johnson, will be a tremendous asset to
Pervasis as the Company continues to execute its business strategy."

"I am thrilled to join the Pervasis Board and look forward to
working with the world-class team that Pervasis has assembled on its
Board of Directors and Scientific Advisory Board," commented Dr.
Litvack. "Pervasis is conducting groundbreaking research and clinical
trials advancing the science of vascular regenerative medicine. The
Company's lead product candidate, Vascugel(R), has enormous potential
to revolutionize the treatment of vascular injury, and I look forward
to being a part of this important mission."

Dr. Litvack is an accomplished veteran of the healthcare industry
having orchestrated the founding, development or sale of several
medical technology companies including Progressive Angioplasty
Systems, Savacor, and most recently the $1.4 billion acquisition of
Conor Medsystems by Johnson & Johnson. Currently, Dr. Litvack is board
certified in three specialties: internal medicine, cardiovascular
diseases and interventional cardiology. He received his undergraduate
and medical degrees at McGill University where he completed his
residency in internal medicine. Dr. Litvack completed his
cardiovascular fellowship at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles in 1985, and
went on to serve as co-director at the Cardiovascular Intervention
Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles from 1986 to
2000. During his academic medical career, he authored and published
more than 100 research articles focusing on translational research
involving novel therapies for patients with coronary artery and
valvular heart disease. Dr. Litvack is an inductee in the NASA Space
Technology Hall of Fame for his work translating laser technology from
the Jet Propulsion Laboratories into the clinic. Dr. Litvack currently
maintains a small consultative medical practice in Los Angeles and
remains active as an investor and entrepreneur.

About Vascugel(R)

Vascugel(R) is a novel and unique allogeneic cell therapy product
under investigation for enhancing repair, extending patency and
vascular health. Vascugel(R) builds on concepts of tissue engineering
to enable implantation of allogeneic endothelial cells in a controlled
state. When wrapped around an injured blood vessel, Vascugel(R)
endothelial cells provide growth regulatory compounds to the
underlying blood vessel, which may promote a natural healing process
and prevent excessive scar tissue formation, inflammation and
thrombosis. Vascugel(R) has been studied in two Phase 2 clinical
trials in patients with End Stage Renal Disease with data expected
before the end of 2008.

About Pervasis Therapeutics, Inc.

Pervasis Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage regenerative
medicine company developing biologically active therapeutics to
address complex diseases and unmet medical needs. The Company has
developed a proprietary allogeneic endothelial cell technology to
regulate vascular repair and restore natural blood flow to critical
organs. Pervasis' lead product candidate, Vascugel(R), has been
studied in two Phase 2 clinical trials in patients with end-stage
renal disease (ESRD). Data from these trials are expected before the
end of 2008. Vascugel(R) is a cell-based therapeutic matrix developed
to reestablish healthy vasculature after vascular injury and promotes
natural healing. Pervasis is also exploring broader indications in
non-vascular applications, including inflammation, organ
transplantation, nerve, wound and bone repair, and oncology. For more
information, please visit www.pervasistx.com.

Pervasis Therapeutics, Inc.
Maggie O'Toole, 617-871-1201
or
Pure Communications
Michele Rozen, 617-730-8284

Copyright Business Wire 2008