SCRA Technology Ventures Company Shares Phase 2 Results

FirstString Research Improves Treatment of Chronic Foot Ulcers in Diabetic Patients

SUMMERVILLE, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SCRA Technology Ventures' SC Launch Portfolio Company, FirstString Research, has recently published results from their multicenter Phase 2 trial. The Charleston-based biotechnology company published the findings regarding the healing of diabetic foot ulcers in the journal Wound Repair and Regeneration. This follows FirstString’s publication reporting the successful outcomes of their Phase 2 clinical trial in treating venous leg ulcers, published last year in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.

“FirstString continues to improve patient outcomes, and their technology is helping grow our state’s technology-based economy.”

FirstString was founded on technology based on the regenerative capabilities of a short regulatory peptide (ACT1) that was originally discovered at the Medical University of South Carolina.

Patients with diabetes have an increased risk of wound complications, and a major cause of morbidity and hospitalization is diabetic foot ulceration. Approximately 20 percent of diabetic patients will develop foot ulceration in their lifetime, which can result in infection, gangrene and amputation.

The clinical trial included participants with non-healing neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers that had remained refractory to standard of care. Granexin Gel®, FirstString’s therapeutic product, not only produced significant improvement in the healing process, but was also well tolerated.

“Nonhealing diabetic foot ulcers have a devastating impact on our population and this is the first peer-reviewed publication that presents the clinical success of targeting connexin signaling in the treatment of neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers in a randomized, blinded, and controlled trial,” said Dr. Gautam Ghatnekar, President and CEO of FirstString Research.

FirstString has recently received funding from the NIH/NIDDK Small Business Innovative Research Program to fund further clinical trials investigating the potential of Granexin Gel® in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.

"We are delighted to see FirstString continue their progress in wound healing therapeutics," said SCRA CEO Bill Mahoney. "FirstString continues to improve patient outcomes, and their technology is helping grow our state’s technology-based economy."

About SCRA and SCRA Technology Ventures

http://www.scra.org/

SCRA Technology Ventures enables research commercialization and promotes the development of high tech industries, enhancing South Carolina’s technology-based economy. Through its flagship SC Launch program, this SCRA business sector makes investments in and offers supports services to South Carolina’s early stage, start-up technology companies.

Multiple economic impact studies show SCRA's cumulative output on South Carolina's economy to be over $18.1 billion, and that the company has helped create approximately 15,000 technology-related jobs in the state, with annual wages averaging between $55,000 and $77,000.