Global Transplant Solutions graduates from SC Launch

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A Spartanburg company that makes products that enable the safe collection, preservation and transport of human organs for transplantation, as graduated from SC Launch Inc., an S.C. Research Authority program that invests and advises startups.

Global Transplant Solutions Inc.’s exit from the program yielded financial returns for the ongoing support of additional technology-based startups in the state, according to a news release.

“The success of Global Transplant Solutions is a result of their strong business plan and customer base,” SCRA Executive Director Bob Quinn said in the news release. “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. 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.”

Global Transplant Solutions supplies a portfolio of organ preservation solutions to the U.S. and Canadian markets and are currently the market leader in the United States. GTS 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 an SC Launch Inc. funding round to companies providing COVID-19 solutions.

“I have enjoyed working with John Bruens, Tim Bruce, Leanne Burkhead, and the entire Global Transplant Solutions team,” Steve Johnson, SCRA investment manager, said in the release. “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. 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.”