With strong ties to University of Nebraska Medical School and the College of Pharmacy, the start-up Ensign Pharmaceutical is structured around development to full use-condition of novel pharmaceutical products designed to free patients from pain without damaging side-effects. Also of primary interest to the firm's principals is addressing development of more effective healing of musculoskeletal disorders and inflammatory diseases. Ensign's personnel have established working relationships with the rheumatology and orthopedic programs at University of Nebraska and the Nebraska Arthritis Outcomes Research Center - the latter having the personnel and expertise to conduct the clinical trials. As a firm, the work of Ensign Pharmaceutical is anchored in on a novel formulation injectable liquid - designated ProGel. When injected,ProGel transforms into a gel-like substance as it reaches body temperature. In gel format, the product remains longer the affected area - effectively concentrating the pharmaceutical payload where it needs to be. Other pharmaceuticals can be combined with ProGel, making it a platform technology. : effectively providing localized and sustained delivery of a variety of therapeutic agents to treat a broad spectrum of clinical conditions.