Texas Recruits ZS Pharma, Inc. through a $2M Emerging Technology Fund Investment

 Fort Worth – True to the mission of the Texas Emerging Technology Fund (ETF), the State of Texas is investing $2 million in a Life Science start-up, ZS Pharma, Inc., of Fort Worth, TX.   A pharmaceutical company originally from Indiana, ZS Pharma will receive ETF investment for the development of oral sorbents designed to eliminate life threatening toxins that build up in patients with either liver or kidney disease.  

The company established roots in Texas a little over a year ago in order to work with TECH Fort Worth, a not-for-profit business incubator that coaches and mentors early-stage entrepreneurs to accelerate and expand their businesses for greater success in bringing a technology-based product to market.

“Texas continues to lead the nation in the evolving biotechnology industry thanks to an environment that encourages innovation and investments from the Texas Emerging Technology Fund,” Gov. Perry said. “This investment in ZS Pharma will help develop a therapy that will provide kidney and liver failure patients with a more effective and less dangerous alternative to current blood cleansing treatments.”

ZS Pharma has a core technology platform that targets the prevention and treatment of hyperkalemia; an abnormal concentration of potassium in the blood that can cause life threatening issues for patients with liver or kidney ailments.  The core technology, Zirconium silicate (ZrSi), will be administered to those that have poorly-met medical conditions due to suffering from the effects of kidney and liver disease.   This advanced compound will provide a better quality of life, an alternative to expensive medical costs for dialysis and other procedures, as well as a significant medical breakthrough in the treatment of acute and chronic hyperkalemia.

“We are delighted to be in Texas, in an environment so supportive and friendly to new business ventures, especially in the life sciences area,” said CEO, Dr. Al Guillem.  “Throughout the process, we have seen Texas’ commitment to the promotion of high-quality jobs in the State and the access to economic programs that create a positive business environment for start-ups.” 

“Al Guillem and I have been friends for years, after doing business together while I owned my own pharmaceutical company,” said Darlene Ryan, Executive Director of TECH Fort Worth.  “When he told me about ZS Pharma, I suggested they move the company to Fort Worth to take advantage of the great business climate here, including the opportunity to apply for ETF funding.”

TECH Fort Worth introduced ZS Pharma to the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC) in Fort Worth.  At UNTHSC, ZS Pharma will spend a portion of the ETF funding on activities to advance the commercialization of its proprietary oral sorbent technology.  

“The opportunity to work with ZS Pharma arose from our strategic alliance with TECH Fort Worth, “said Dr. Robert McClain, Associate Vice President of Technology Transfer and Commercialization at UNTHSC.   “It’s a good example of how our partnerships can impact our community.   ZS Pharma leases space on our campus, uses our Pre-Clinical Services Group and works with our Office of Clinical Trials to partner with UNT Health physicians for planned clinical trials.”

The ETF investment fund was designed to attract top scientists and entrepreneurs in growing cluster segments such as Life Science and pharmaceuticals.   ZS Pharma is an excellent example of what the ETF was designed to do for the State of Texas.   The company will hire top researchers and a talented management team, as well as invest significant funds into a UNTHSC, a Texas-based university.

The TETF is a $200 million initiative created by the Texas Legislature in 2005 at the governor’s request, and reauthorized in 2007 and again in 2009. A 17-member advisory committee of high-tech leaders, entrepreneurs and research experts reviews potential projects and recommends funding allocations to the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the House. TETF has allocated more than $159 million in funds to 113 early stage companies, and $161 million in grant matching and research superiority funds to Texas universities.

About the Texas Emerging Technology Fund (ETF)

The Texas ETF is a $200 million initiative created by the Texas Legislature in 2005 at the governor’s request, and reauthorized in 2007 and again in 2009. A 17-member advisory committee of high-tech leaders, entrepreneurs and research experts reviews potential projects and recommends funding allocations to the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the House. To date, the ETF has allocated more than $132.25 million in funds to 104 early stage companies.  For more information about the ETF visit, http://www.emergingtechfund.com

About the North Texas RCIC (NTXRCIC)

The North Texas Regional Center for Innovation and Commercialization (NTXRCIC) is one of six regional agents for the ETF.   The NTXRCIC works to identify technology-based entrepreneurial ventures that will commercialize emerging technologies, advancing the state’s competitiveness.   The NTXRCIC cooperates with industrial, financial, academic, and public agencies to promote the regional entrepreneurial ecology.   As a resource to its client companies, the NTXRCIC has a full-time staff, experienced volunteers and a strong resource partner network.   For detailed information about the NTXRCIC, visit the web site. www.ntxrcic.org.

About the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNT HSC)

The UNTHSC comprises the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, the School of Public Health, and the School of Health Professions. Key research areas include aging and Alzheimer’s disease, cancer and physical medicine.  This year, the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine was named a top 50 medical school in primary care by U.S. News & World Report for the ninth consecutive year. “Fort Worth’s medical school and more” contributes more than $400 million to the Tarrant County and Texas economies annually.  For more information, go to .

About TECH Fort Worth

TECH Fort Worth is a nonprofit technology incubator, with offices at the James E. Guinn Complex in Fort Worth South and at the UNT Health Science Center’s Center for BioHealth. For more information, call Darlene Ryan, Executive Director, at (817) 339 8968, email her at Darlene@techfortworth.org or go to www.techfortworth.org.