Programs
coming soon
Contact:
zuSyn, Inc
4717 Campus Dr.
Ste 100
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
info@zusyn.com
fax: 267-697-6315
KALAMAZOO, Mich ( August 1, 2006) - zuSyn, Inc. opened its Kalamazoo laboratory today at the Southwest Michigan Innovation Center. The Company recently secured approximately $600,000 in funding from the Michigan Technology Tri-Corridor and the Biosciences Research and Commercialization Center of Western Michigan University. The funding will support company research efforts, including increased staffing, to identify and advance early-stage cancer therapeutics based on carbohydrate (i.e sugar-like) small molecules.
zuSyn is a subsidiary of zuChem, Inc., an Illinois-based venture-backed company that works on sugar technology for the food and pharmaceutical industries. Established in 2004, zuSyn focuses on specific drug discovery opportunities. Dr. David Dodds was recently hired as zuSyn’s Vice President of Research & Development to head its research operations at the Southwest Michigan Innovation Center (SMIC) at Western Michigan University’s Business Technology and Research Park. One important factor in the decision to locate zuSyn at the Innovation Center was its proximity to other Michigan companies with whom zuSyn has ongoing collaborations.
David Demirjian, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We are excited about locating at the SMIC. It is an impressive state-of-the art facility, and Kalamazoo is an ideal location for us to draw on the medicinal chemistry talent and expertise we need for our pharmaceutical research projects.”
Dr. Dodds added, “The recent advances in the chemical synthesis of pharmaceutically important sugar-based compounds are tremendously exciting. We are looking forward to applying these technologies to our pharmaceutical discovery programs and continuing to build our team here at zuSyn.
Chief Executive Officer of the Southwest Michigan Innovation Center, Douglas Morton, sees the addition of zuSyn to the Kalamazoo life science cluster as very positive. Dr. Morton stated, ”zuSyn is an excellent addition to the Innovation Center and will further enhance the scientific collaboration and talent within the community”.
About The Southwest Michigan Innovation Center
The Southwest Michigan Innovation Center is a 58,000-square-foot incubator/accelerator designed to provide wet-lab space, access to venture funding, and comprehensive business support services to emerging companies in the life science industry. After just three years in operation, the Innovation Center boasts sixteen tenant companies and over 90% occupancy. For more information, visit www.kazoosmic.com.
About Southwest Michigan First
Southwest Michigan First is the catalyst stimulating growth across the Kalamazoo Region. Whether you’re a site selector, an investor, an entrepreneur or part of an existing company looking to grow, Southwest Michigan First has the resources and expertise to assist you in identifying and surpassing your goals. For more information, visit www.southwestmichiganfirst.com.
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