FirstString Research, Inc
iNexin, a peptide eye drop formulation containing aCT1 (alpha-Connexin Carboxy-Terminal mimetic) to treat diabetic retinopathy by preserving blood-retina barrier integrity
- Sector
- Biotech
- Headquarters
- Mount Pleasant, SC
- Latest Form D
- $23.8M, Apr 2021
- Total capital
- $49.8M
- Federal grants
- $7.7M
- 11 awards · 2015–2022
- Rank in peer group#78 of 514
- Private capital raised
- $42.1M
- 3 Form D · last Apr 2021
- 66 months since last filing
- Federal contracts
- None on recordNo federal contract awards found.
- Granted patents
- 1
- 13 pending · first 2015
- Rank in peer group#186 of 514
Capital timeline
Latest events
- Federal grantHealth and Human S · Phase I · Evaluation of a Connexin-based Peptide for the Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy$315K
- Federal grantHealth and Human S · Phase II · Improving marginal allograft outcomes through cell junction stabilization in transplantation$2M
- Federal grantDefense · Phase II · A novel peptide-based topical therapeutic to promote corneal regeneration and restore corneal biomechanics following blast and burn injuries$1.5M
- Private capital raisedForm D · SEC · 3rd filing$23.8M
- Federal grantHealth and Human S · Phase I · Evaluation of a Novel Connexin-Based Peptide in the Treatment of Combined Ionizing Radiation and Thermal Burn Injury$300K
- Private capital raisedForm D · SEC · 2nd filing$11.7M
- Federal grantHealth and Human S · Phase II · Novel therapeutic approach in treatment of glioblastoma using sustained delivery of Connxin43 carboxy-terminal peptide encapsulated in biodegradable nanoparticles in combination with temozolomide$1.6M
- Private capital raisedForm D · SEC · 1st filing$6.6M
Show 6 earlier federal awards
- Federal grantHealth and Human S · Phase I · A Novel Scaffold to Promote Skin Regeneration$225K
- Federal grantHealth and Human S · Phase I · Evaluation of a Connexin based Peptide for the Treatment of Age Related Macular Degeneration$225K
- Federal grantHealth and Human S · Phase II · Evaluation of a Novel Connexin-Based Peptide for the Treatment of Diabetic Wounds$1M
- Federal grantHealth and Human S · Phase I · Stabilization of gap/tight junctions to ameliorate brain death induced endothelial cell injury$225K
- Federal grantDefense · Phase I · A Novel Peptide-based Topical Therapeutic to Promote Corneal Regeneration and Restore Corneal Biomechanics Following Blast and Burn Injuries$100K
- Federal grantHealth and Human S · Phase I · Novel therapeutic approach in treatment of glioblastoma using sustained delivery of Connxin43 carboxy-terminal peptide encapsulated in biodegradable nanoparticles in combination with temozolomide$225K
Node area is scaled to amount. Form D reports securities sold, which can differ from an announced round; filings are numbered in the order they were made.
Federal first
25months
from FirstString Research, Inc’s first federal award to its first private round.
- First federal award · Sep 2015
- Health and Human S · $225K
- First Form D · Oct 2017
- $6.6M · 1st Form D
- Awards before first raise
- 6 awards
An association in public records, not a cause or a prediction.
Standing among 514 peers
Line = medianBiotech · Molecule
- Federal grants#78 · top 15%
- Granted patents#186 · top 36%
Cumulative measures favor older companies. Rankings describe position today, not outcome. Below the median, ranks show as a band rather than a number.
Founders and team
Researcher links verified by same-company patents and grants- Gautam S. GhatnekarResearcherExecutive Officer, DirectorLinked by 1 patent · $3.3M in grants as PI
- CURTIS MOExecutive OfficerNamed in SEC Form D filings
- David Grant LeffellDirectorNamed in SEC Form D filings
- D. Grant CarwileDirectorNamed in SEC Form D filings
- Elliot S. FavusDirectorNamed in SEC Form D filings
- GRANT CARWILEDirectorNamed in SEC Form D filings
Show all 14 people
- James R. McNabDirectorNamed in SEC Form D filings
- JAMES MCNAB, JR.DirectorNamed in SEC Form D filings
- Neal Grant McConnellDirectorNamed in SEC Form D filings
- NED PAYNEDirectorNamed in SEC Form D filings
- Stephen W. SpeerDirectorNamed in SEC Form D filings
- Steven W. SpeerDirectorNamed in SEC Form D filings
- Tina Grant NovaDirectorNamed in SEC Form D filings
- Tony Grant BartshDirectorNamed in SEC Form D filings
What it has protected
USPTO · 1 granted of 14- PendingComposition And Methods For Preventing Radiation Injury And Promoting Tissue RegenerationUSPTOApplication 16486239
- PendingCompositions And Methods For Preserving Organ TransplantsUSPTOApplication 16923289
- GrantedFormulations And Methods Of Use For Alpha Connexin C-terminal (act) PeptidesUSPTOUS 9,161,984
Show all 14 patent records
- Composition And Methods For Preventing Radiation Injury And Promoting Tissue RegenerationMay 11, 2023 · Application 16486239Pending
- Compositions And Methods For Preserving Organ TransplantsJan 14, 2021 · Application 16923289Pending
- Formulations And Methods Of Use For Alpha Connexin C-terminal (act) PeptidesOct 20, 2015 · US 9,161,984Granted
- Compositions And Methods For Preserving Organ TransplantsApplication PCTUS2020041114Pending
- Compositions And Methods For Treating Complications Of Viral InfectionsApplication 63006498Pending
- Nanoparticle Formulations And Methods Of Use For Alpha Connexin C-terminal PeptidesApplication PCTUS2019050822Pending
- Compositions And Methods For Preserving Organ TransplantsApplication 62871475Pending
- Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles for controlled delivery of a peptideApplication 62730116Pending
- Composition And Methods For Preventing Radiation Injury And Promoting Tissue RegenerationApplication PCTUS2018000035Pending
- Composition And Methods For Preventing Radiation Injury And Promoting Tissue RegenerationApplication 62459924Pending
- Compositions And Methods For Treating Complications Of Viral Infections And Other Respiratory DisordersApplication PCTUS2021026224Pending
- Topical Gels Containing Alpha Connexin C-terminal (act) PeptidesApplication PCTUS2013028727Pending
- Compositions And Methods For Treating Complications Of Viral Infections And Other Respiratory DisordersApplication 63134462Pending
- Peptide Formulations And Ophthalmic Uses ThereofApplication 63104086Pending
Related companies, and why
- Acomhal Research, Inc.Shares a founder: SAMY LAMOUILLE
- Regranion, LLCShares a founder: GREK, CHRISTINA
- StrideBio, Inc.Similar federal contract value in Biotech · null in contracts
- Alveus Therapeutics, Inc.Similar federal contract value in Biotech · null in contracts
- ARIDIS PHARMACEUTICALS, LLCSimilar federal contract value in Biotech · null in contracts
- Clover Biopharmaceuticals, Ltd.Similar federal contract value in Biotech · null in contracts
Regulatory activity · Biotech
- New Animal Drugs; Approval of New Animal Drug Applications; Withdrawal of Approval of New Animal Drug Application; Change of SponsorFood and Drug Administration
- Medical Devices; General and Plastic Surgery Devices; Classification of the Skin Patch for Treatment of HyperhidrosisFood and Drug Administration
- Medical Devices; Anesthesiology Devices; Classification of the Monitor for Opioid Induced Impairment of OxygenationFood and Drug Administration
- Medical Devices; Orthopedic Devices; Classification of the Medial Knee Implanted Shock AbsorberFood and Drug Administration
- Medical Devices; Neurological Devices; Classification of the External Lower Extremity Nerve Stimulator for Restless Legs SyndromeFood and Drug Administration
- Medical Devices; General Hospital and Personal Use Devices; Classification of the Infant Supine Sleep SystemFood and Drug Administration
Rules are matched to sector, not to company. Recent activity in a sector is context rather than a signal about this business — until rules are matched to what a company actually builds, the section is shown as context and nothing more.
Sources
Federal grants from SBIR/STTR, NIH, NSF and DoD records. Federal contracts from USAspending.gov. Private capital from SEC Form D. Patents from USPTO. Publications from OpenAlex. Regulatory activity from the Federal Register. Press matched on company name.
How to read this page
Figures show associations in public records, not causes or predictions. Nothing here is investment advice. An em-dash means no record was found under this company's name, not that none exists.
Data freshness
SEC Form D filings through . SBIR and STTR awards through .