CycloPure, Inc. Company Profile

Background

CycloPure, Inc., established in 2016, is a materials science company specializing in water purification technologies. The company's mission is to provide accessible, affordable, and sustainable solutions for removing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water, ensuring safe drinking water for all. CycloPure's vision is to create a future where PFAS-free water is universally available, leveraging innovative and eco-friendly technologies to address global water contamination challenges.

Key Strategic Focus

CycloPure's strategic focus centers on developing and commercializing its proprietary DEXSORB® line of adsorbents, designed to effectively remove PFAS and other toxic micropollutants from water. The company targets a broad spectrum of applications, including:

Consumer Products: Home water filtration systems, such as pitcher filters compatible with Brita systems, and water test kits for PFAS detection.

Municipal and Industrial Applications: Large-scale water treatment solutions for drinking water and wastewater facilities.

Environmental Monitoring: Passive sampling cartridges for groundwater analysis.

By addressing both consumer and industrial markets, CycloPure aims to provide comprehensive solutions to the pervasive issue of water contamination by PFAS and other micropollutants.

Financials and Funding

CycloPure has secured multiple funding rounds to support its research, development, and commercialization efforts:

Series B Funding (November 2019): The company raised over $4 million in a Series B round led by Dr. Irwin Jacobs. This funding was earmarked for accelerating the commercialization of DEXSORB® adsorbents.

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grants: CycloPure has been awarded several SBIR grants, including:

Phase I Award (April 2018): $149,308 from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Phase II Award (September 2019): $425,285 from the NIH.

Phase I Award (March 2021): $100,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Phase II Award (September 2022): $203,864 from the NIH.

These grants have been instrumental in advancing the development and deployment of CycloPure's PFAS removal technologies.

Pipeline Development

CycloPure's product pipeline includes:

DEXSORB® Adsorbents: Eco-friendly materials derived from renewable corn-based cyclodextrins, engineered to remove PFAS and other micropollutants from water.

Water Test Kits: Launched in November 2019, these kits enable consumers to test for PFAS contamination in their home water supply.

Home Water Filtration Products: CycloPure has developed pitcher filters compatible with Brita systems, utilizing DEXSORB® technology to provide up to 65 gallons of PFAS-free water.

Municipal and Industrial Solutions: The company is collaborating with water treatment facilities to implement DEXSORB® in large-scale applications, including drinking water and wastewater treatment plants.

Environmental Monitoring Tools: In partnership with iFLUX, CycloPure introduced passive sampling cartridges for measuring PFAS in groundwater, marking the first commercial use of DEXSORB® in Europe.

Technological Platform and Innovation

CycloPure's innovation is anchored in its proprietary DEXSORB® technology:

Proprietary Technologies: DEXSORB® adsorbents are based on high-affinity cyclodextrin polymers derived from renewable corn starch. These materials are designed to selectively bind and remove a wide range of PFAS compounds from water.

Significant Scientific Methods: The company's adsorbents utilize cup-shaped cyclodextrins, which are sugar molecules bound into rings, to effectively capture PFAS molecules. This design allows for rapid and efficient removal of contaminants compared to traditional materials like activated carbon.

Sustainability: DEXSORB® is made from renewable resources and is fully reusable. CycloPure offers recycling programs for used filters, converting contaminants into safe, disposable salts, thereby minimizing environmental impact.

Leadership Team

CycloPure's leadership comprises experienced professionals dedicated to advancing water purification technologies:

Frank Cassou: Founder and Chief Executive Officer.

Will Dichtel: Co-founder and Chief Science Officer. Dr. Dichtel is the Robert L. Letsinger Professor of Chemistry at Northwestern University and a recipient of the 2018 Guggenheim Fellowship and the 2015 MacArthur Fellowship for his innovations in polymer chemistry.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The global water treatment market is experiencing significant growth due to increasing awareness of water contamination issues, particularly concerning PFAS. Regulatory bodies worldwide are implementing stricter guidelines for water quality, driving demand for advanced purification technologies.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors in the PFAS removal sector include:

Calgon Carbon Corporation: Specializes in activated carbon solutions for water treatment.

Evoqua Water Technologies: Offers a range of water and wastewater treatment solutions, including PFAS removal technologies.

Purolite Corporation: Develops ion exchange resins for water purification applications.

While these companies provide established solutions, CycloPure differentiates itself through its innovative, sustainable, and renewable DEXSORB® technology, offering efficient and eco-friendly PFAS removal.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

CycloPure has engaged in several strategic partnerships to enhance its market position and technological capabilities:

iFLUX: Collaborated to develop passive sampling cartridges for PFAS measurement in groundwater, marking the first commercial use of DEXSORB® in Europe.

SGS Laboratories: Partnered for the analysis of PFAS samples collected using DEXSORB® technology.

Municipal Water Treatment Facilities: Engaged in pilot programs to implement DEXSORB® in large-scale water treatment applications.

Operational Insights

CycloPure's strategic considerations include:

Market Position: Positioning DEXSORB® as a superior alternative to traditional activated carbon solutions, emphasizing its efficiency, sustainability, and reusability.

Competitive Advantages: Leveraging the unique properties of DEXSORB® to offer faster and more effective PFAS removal, coupled with environmentally friendly practices.

Regulatory Compliance: Aligning product development with evolving regulatory standards for water quality to meet the needs of both consumers and industrial clients.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

CycloPure's future directions include:

Product Expansion: Developing new consumer and industrial products utilizing DEXSORB® technology to address a broader range of water contaminants.