FirstString Research Inc was acquired in 2016 by Swiss firm Relief Therapeutics Holding AG (SIX: RLF) a Swiss-based publicly-traded drug development company focusing primarily on the clinical development of peptides and proteins of natural or engineered origin to address unmet medical needs. Fairly active ithe SBIR space, FirstString Research (FSR) had functioned as a biotechnology company organized primarily around therapies for scar prevention and tissue regeneration. Pioneering the translation of cell-cell communication and contact/adhesion science into medical applications, FirstString's products included a topical gel for the prevention of scarring resulting from surgeries and injuries. Therapies modulate intercellular communication to reduce the development of scar tissue, as well as improve the bodys ability to produce healthy and functional cells. The Company had an exclusive worldwide license from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) for the connexin-technology platform and intellectual properties of a portfolio of peptides capable of modulating junctional proteins that are critical for inter-cellular communication. A Phase I human clinical trial demonstrated safety and efficacy of a lead peptide generated from the technology platform. The Company also advanced GranexinTM Gel, a topical formulation of the lead peptide, through three Phase II human clinical trials for scar reduction and treatment of chronic wounds.