What
FirstString Research Inc. exclusively was licensed to move forward with Phase II trials. FirstString Research Inc., a biotechnology company that arose from an MUSC lab, received two patents for intellectual property protection for further development and commercialization of its regenerative medicine technology.

The Researchers
The first patent, issued late last year, was a "composition of matter" patent for a regenerative technology platform invented in an MUSC lab by Robert Gourdie, Ph.D., Gautam Ghatnekar, Ph.D., FirstString Research President and CEO, and lab manager Jane Jourdan. Gourdie also is a FirstString scientific advisory board member.

Dr. Gautam Ghatnekar with the peptide gel.

How it Works
The technology's first application takes the form of a wound-healing/scar-reduction peptide gel by FirstString Research. The second patent, issued this month, is a "methods of use" patent, meaning that the peptide-gel can be used for multiple medical applications. Both patents provide protection and exclusivity through 2026.

The peptide works by inhibiting the production of scar tissue and catalyzing the production of new tissue to heal a wound, similar to how a lizard might re-grow its tail if it were injured. The discovery in Gourdie's laboratory of the peptide's ability to reduce scar tissue, while also promoting heart cell electrical function, turned into a two-for-one exchange. The peptide also is being developed for translational uses in heart and spinal injury patients, as well as those who suffer from macular degeneration or cardiac arrhythmias.

Did you Know
This collaborative pipeline of biotechnology involving MUSC and FirstString serves as a successful model of how academic medical centers can produce spin-off companies to improve human health. As FirstString pursues commercialization of the peptide for several clinical uses, Gourdie's lab will continue to work on additional promising internal applications such as the peptide's anti-arrhythmia effects, and its use for other cardiac and spinal injuries.

Dr. Rob Gourdie in his lab.

The peptide was originally developed by Gourdie in his lab at MUSC for use as a laboratory tool in understanding electronic signaling within heart muscles and was further developed by Ghatnekar to have translational benefits at the bedside. Ghatnekar realized the peptide's potential to decrease scar tissue and heal wounds faster in laboratory animals when he worked as a postdoctoral fellow in Gourdie's lab. After the additional application was considered for the peptide, the group developed a topical gel that was shown to decrease scar tissue and heal wounds faster in laboratory mice. Subsequently, this led to the formation of FirstString by Ghatnekar and Gourdie.

What's Next
Galvanized by the award of these two patents and results in Switzerland, FirstString plans to launch a Phase II clinical trials with more than 270 patients in 2011, pending regulatory approval. These trials will further test two topical functions of the wound-healing peptide gel: faster healing of difficult to heal wounds such as diabetic foot and venous leg ulcers and reduction of scars associated with surgical wounds. Eventual commercialization of this work could lead to decreased medical costs related to these conditions and enhanced quality of life.

"The progress made by FirstString exemplifies MUSC's commitment to translate breakthrough research into clinical applications that further solidify its role as a partner for companies seeking to explore economic opportunities in the biotech sector," said Ghatnekar. "We are incredibly excited about its impact on patients who will benefit from the applications of this regenerative medicine technology."