Press Coverage
4/20/10 Zymetis Earth Day Contribution
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (WUSA) -- Who would have thought a tiny bug in a swamp might help solve two of Earth Day's most vexing problems? "It's called Saccarophagus degradens, it means sugar eater or degrader," says Steve Hutcheson of the University of Maryland. In a lab at the university, scientists from a spin-off company called Zymetis are trying to figure out if the bacterium can help reduce the waste going into landfills and reduce our dependence on petroleum. "Plants have evolved over millions of years not to be eaten," says Zymetis CEO Scott Laughlin. "They've evolved in a way that makes them very hard to be digested." What's remarkable about the bug growing in fermenters is it's ability to digest just about anything -- from cornstalks to sawdust and toothpicks -- and leave behind sugars that can be fermented into ethanol and many other fuels.
2/04/10 Zymetis Wins Development Grant
The University of Maryland's Maryland Industrial Partnerships Program (MIPS), an initiative of the Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute (Mtech), today announces 17 research projects teaming Maryland companies and university faculty to develop high technology and biotechnology commercial products. Zymetis will receive $108,085 to further development of low-cost solvent systems to reduce the crystallinity of native cellulose, reducing the need for enzymes in biomass digestion for the production of ethanol and other biofuels.
1/11/10 Zymetis Completes Fund Raise
According to a Reg D filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, biotechnology company Zymetis Inc raised $757,464 out of a total equity offering of $765,000.
11/06/09 Venture Capital Outlook Improving
“The expectation in the investment community is that products and devices that are environmentally friendly, even if they come at a higher cost initially, will be mandated or highly attractive for people to buy in the future,” said Scott Laughlin, CEO of Zymetis Inc.
6/26/09 Zymetis Goes Extra Mile for Investors
Executives from 10 biotech companies will call the city’s west side biopark their home for the next five days. Executives are camping out at the University of Maryland, Baltimore BioPark in hopes of grabbing a slice of the state’s $6 million in biotech tax credits. The tax credits are awarded on a first-come first-serve basis.
6/22/09 Zymetis Named to TechJournal Top 50
TechJournal South presents 50 technology and biotechnology companies they believe are the companies in the US Southeast worthy of the most attention.
3/18/09 MIT Technology Review: A Better Biofuel Bug
Zymetis is testing genetically modified bacteria that efficiently convert biomass into sugar.
3/06/09 From Pond Bacteria… To Energy Independence?
These days, it's almost a requirement for politicians on the campaign trail to promise more 'green collar jobs' and to announce that we must wean ourselves off foreign oil. Well, one local company has been working on solving our fuel dependency problem, while promising a greener alternative... and, what the heck, figuring out something to do with all the garbage we generate to boot. A tall order. But a company in College Park says it has found a way to create renewable energy out of every day waste. Patrick Madden reports.
1/20/09 Zymetis Lands Additional Investment for Clean Water Initiative
Zymetis receives additional investment from the Chesapeake Bay Seed Capital Fund, a fund offered by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and administered by the Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute. Funding is reserved for startup companies with innovative technologies that may help improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay.
10/17/08 Zymetis Wins Washington Business Journal “Green Business Award”
Company, founder, and University of Maryland recognized for innovative ethanol production process.
7/07/08 Biotech Start-Ups Covet Tax Credit
Zymetis executives, supporters go the extra mile to get tax credit.
6/26/08 Better living through chemurgy
Economist article about efforts to replace oil-based chemicals with renewable alternatives.
6/22/08 O’Malley’s biotech push
Baltimore Sun editorial cites Zymetis as an example of fruitful state investment in biotech startups.
6/11/08 Zymetis Wins 2008 Maryland Incubator Company of the Year
Zymetis wins 2008 Maryland Incubator Company of the Year Award at ceremony on June 10.
5/15/08 Green Options: Fuel from Bacteria
Dana Greenspon from PBS's Nightly Business Report explains how bacteria can be used to turn scrap materials into fuel. WATCH VIDEO!
3/18/08 Zymetis Process Turns Waste into Ethanol
GoodCleanTech.com blog post about Zymetis.
3/11/08 Ethanol: Fact, Fiction, Reality
Blog post discussing Zymetis.
3/10/08 Bacteria Breaking Down Grass Could Aid In Ethanol
Alex DeMetrick reports on Zymetis technology. WATCH VIDEO!
3/10/08 The (Long) Road to Cellulosic Ethanol
Treehugger.com coverage of Zymetis.
3/10/08 Governor O’Malley, UM Scientists Announce New Energy Technology
Martin O'Malley, Governor of Maryland, announces support for Zymetis.
3/10/08 UM Scientists Find Key to Low-Cost Ethanol in Chesapeake Bay
Zymetis expands technology as newest University of Maryland incubator company.
10/19/08 Founder Presents at National Institute of Standards and Technology Conference
Dr. Steve Hutcheson presents as a panelist at the International Conference, “Accelerating Innovation in 21st Century Biosciences: Identifying the Measurement Standards and Technological Challenges."
