FirstString Research, Inc — Department of Defense SBIR Phase II: A15-061
FirstString Research, Inc — SBIR Phase II award from Department of Defense.
Phase II SBIR prototype / development signal
- Phase II is where Department of Defense funds deeper R&D after feasibility. Incumbents with Phase II history are serious competitors on adjacent topics.
- Use this award as past-performance context and to map customer organizations for STRATFI/TACFI-style transition planning.
- Obligated amount $1,499,961 is consistent with substantial Phase II-scale effort; compare to related awards from the same agency.
- Topic code A15-061 links this award to a solicitation family — search the same topic stem for incumbents and recompete timing.
- Amount
- $1,499,961
- Agency
- Department of Defense · Defense Health Program
- Program / Phase
- SBIR · Phase II
- Topic
- A15-061
- Solicitation
- 15.1
- NAICS
- —
- Place of performance
- SC
- Period
- 2021-06-17 → 2023-06-17
Description
Ocular traumas resultingfrom explosive or incendiary devices arecommon battlefield injuries. Current therapeutics do not address the biological and molecular processes in corneal wound healing, and therapeuticfailureis associated with corneal ulcers,scarring, and vision loss. Ocular therapeutics that haveregenerative healing properties and restorecorneal biomechanical integrity and can bereadily applied in the field willenhancetherapeutic outcome.FirstString Research has developed an eyedrop formulation containingtheshort regulatory peptide (ACT1) that possesses anti-inflammatory properties and enhancescorneal regeneration via thestabilization ofgap and tight junctions by modulatingjunctional protein interactions. During PhaseI an ACT1 ophthalmicformulation with optimal safety,stability, permeation, and retention characteristics was developed. PhaseII will1.)validatethetherapeutic potential of ACT1eyedrops with respect to corneal regeneration,scarring, and biomechanics usinglarge animal corneal injury models; and 2.)completeIND-enablingtoxicology studies in order to advanceinto clinical trials. The broader impact/commercialization potential involves the development of a CONOPS-friendly topical therapeuticthat reduces inflammation, and promotescorneal regeneration and therestoration ofvisual acuity following ocular trauma. Furthermore,results obtained willexpand the understanding of themechanisms ofcorneal damage and accelerate progress in theclinical care of ocular injuries.