Global Transplant Solutions Successfully Graduates from SC Launch Inc.

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L to R: Steve Johnson, Tim Bruce, Leanne Burkhead, and John Bruens

Summerville, SC – South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA), announces the successful graduation of SC Launch Inc. Portfolio Company, Global Transplant Solutions Inc. This exit yielded financial returns for the continued support of additional technology-based startups in South Carolina.

The Spartanburg-based company makes products that enable the safe collection, preservation, and transport of human organs for transplantation. They supply a complete portfolio of organ preservation solutions to the U.S. and Canadian markets and are currently the market leader in the U.S.

Global Transplant Solutions became an SCRA Member Company in 2017 and received a $17,000 Project Development Fund Grant the same year. They became an SC Launch Inc. Portfolio Company in 2018 when they received their first investment of $200,000 and $150,000 later that year. They also received a $75,000 emergency loan during the SC Launch Inc.’s funding round to companies providing COVID-19 solutions.

Global Transplant Solutions graduate award

“The success of Global Transplant Solutions is a result of their strong business plan and customer base. They built the company from the ground up with a clear understanding of their business goals and how they fit into the organ transplant marketplace,” said SCRA Executive Director Bob Quinn. “They are also nimble and able to respond to needs in the market as they arise. During the height of the pandemic when medical centers could not accept their solutions because they were being transported by FedEx and UPS, the company used our financial support to lease their own fleet of vehicles to directly deliver solutions to transplant centers. This action resulted in them gaining an increased market share, hiring more staff, and moving to a larger facility. This is growth for our state’s economy, and more importantly, a benefit for patients waiting for organ transplants.”

“I have enjoyed working with John Bruens, Tim Bruce, Leanne Burkhead, and the entire Global Transplant Solutions team. Every step of the way, they showed exemplary business acumen in their operations. They’re truly dedicated to the organ and procurement transplant market, with every employee being a registered organ donor and their mission as the basis for all operations,” said Steve Johnson, SCRA Investment Manager. “2021 was a record year for organ transplants in the U.S., surpassing 40,000 for the first time ever. This could not have been possible without their products and commitment. We are proud to see them move from being an early-stage startup to now an SC Launch Inc. Graduate Company.”

“Our overriding focus at Global Transplant Solutions is providing the highest quality products to the life-saving community. We ensure every unit we produce goes through a rigorous quality control and quality assurance process and meets the standards required by organ procurement and transplant professionals. SCRA and SC Launch Inc. have been trusted partners to us along the way and we wouldn’t be where we are today without them,” said John Bruens, Global Transplant Solutions CEO.

Visit Global Transplant Solutions to learn more their dedication to organ donations and transplants.

 

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About SC Launch Inc.

Established in 2006, SC Launch Inc. is the investment affiliate of the South Carolina Research Authority. The independent nonprofit corporation provides loans and investments to selected South Carolina-based companies participating in the SC Launch program.

About SCRA

Chartered in 1983 by the State of South Carolina as a public, nonprofit corporation, South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) fuels South Carolina’s innovation economy through the impact of its four programs. SC Academic Innovations provides funding and support to advance translational research and accelerate the growth of university-based startups. SC Facilities offers high-quality laboratory and administrative workspaces for technology-based startups and academic institutions. SC Industry Solutions facilitates and funds partnerships between and among startups, industry, and academia. SC Launch mentors and funds technology-based startups that may also receive investments from SCRA’s investment affiliate, SC Launch, Inc.

Media Contact
Adrianne Grimes
Director of Marketing and Communications, SCRA
O: (854) 888-2033
C: (843) 277-7295
adrianne.grimes@scra.org