FirstString creates new wound repair technology

Several years ago, two MUSC researchers, Gautam Ghatnekar, DVM, PhD, and Jim McNab, Jr., MBA, identified a technology that seemed to help wounds heal faster. Further research showed their discovery not only speeds healing, but also significantly reduces and prevents scarring.

Robert Gourdie, a senior personnel MUSC faculty member in the Regenerative Medicine CoEE, and Dr. Ghatnekar licensed the technology from MUSC and then established FirstString Research, a start-up biotechnology company.

FirstString’s lead commercial product is a topical, peptide-based gel that can keep the body from scarring and promotes regeneration of damaged tissue, particularly if application is begun within 24 hours of injury. "Our technology fundamentally shifts the body's balance from healing by scarring to healing by regeneration," says Dr. Ghatnekar, president and CEO of FirstString.

With a different formulation, the wound repair gel may be used to tackle more serious internal scarring. Preclinical tests on these indications have yielded an impressive suite of data. Possible applications include internal injuries caused by heart attack, spinal cord injuries, hip implants, stents, and age-related macular degeneration.

FirstString has successfully raised enough capital to take the company through the completion of Phase I human safety trials. Phase 2 trials are scheduled to begin toward the end of 2009 or early 2010. Learn More