Zentek Provides Corporate Update
Zentek (NASDAQ:ZTEK) provided a comprehensive corporate update covering multiple business segments. The company announced a CEO transition with CFO Wendy Ford appointed as Interim CEO following Greg Fenton's resignation. Their flagship product, ZenGUARD™ Enhanced Air Filters, demonstrated superior performance with 42% infectious aerosol removal efficiency compared to 16% for untreated filters.
The company is expanding globally, with strategic partnerships in Canada, Middle East, India, and South America. A significant milestone was achieved at Albany Graphite Corp., which purified graphite to 99.9992% (5N) purity, meeting nuclear industry standards. Additionally, Triera Biosciences reported promising preliminary results from in vivo testing of their H5N1 aptamer candidate, showing 5x greater survival rates and 80% less weight loss in test subjects.
- ZenGUARD filters achieved 42% infectious aerosol removal efficiency vs 16% for untreated filters
- Albany Graphite achieved 99.9992% purity meeting nuclear industry standards
- Triera Biosciences' H5N1 treatment showed 5x greater survival rates in testing
- Strategic expansion into multiple international markets including Middle East, India, and South America
- Eligibility under Government of Canada's Pathway to Commercialization program for potential federal procurement
- CEO resignation and ongoing leadership transition
- Pending regulatory classification review with Health Canada
- Delayed market entry in the United States pending product registration pathway
Insights
Zentek's interim CEO leads commercialization of their energy-efficient viral filtration technology while advancing graphite and biotechnology assets simultaneously.
Zentek is navigating a leadership transition while simultaneously pushing forward on multiple technology fronts. The appointment of CFO Wendy Ford as Interim CEO, following Greg Fenton's resignation, signals continuity in the company's commercialization strategy while the board conducts a formal search with Lock Search Group.
The most significant near-term commercial opportunity appears to be their ZenGUARD™ Enhanced Air Filters, which have demonstrated 42% infectious aerosol removal efficiency versus 16% for untreated filters. This technology achieves the rare combination of improved pathogen control while maintaining energy efficiency and requiring no additional equipment - solving a critical market challenge in meeting ASHRAE standard 241 without increasing carbon emissions.
Their successful progression through Canada's Innovative Solutions Canada program creates a direct pathway to government procurement at scale - a significant advantage for a commercial-stage company. Zentek is building both western and eastern Canada manufacturing partnerships alongside a commission-based sales structure targeting institutional, government and healthcare sectors where adoption barriers are typically lower for proven technologies with efficiency benefits.
Beyond Canada, Zentek is pursuing structured international expansion through manufacturing partnerships in Saudi Arabia, distribution representatives in the Middle East, and market development in India and South America - all critical growth markets for energy-efficient building technologies.
The Albany Graphite achievement of 99.9992% purity (5N) with equivalent boron concentration of 2.60 ppm represents entry into the high-value nuclear-grade graphite market, potentially positioning Zentek as a North American alternative to Chinese synthetic graphite as nuclear power expands to meet AI and data center energy demands.
On the biotechnology front, Triera Biosciences is showing encouraging early results with their aptamer technology, demonstrating 5x greater survival rates and 80% less weight loss in mouse models for influenza treatment, with comprehensive H5N1 testing scheduled to begin soon.
This update reveals Zentek's multi-pronged commercialization strategy across three distinct technology platforms. The interim CEO appointment of CFO Wendy Ford provides financial discipline during a critical transition period while they search for permanent leadership.
ZenGUARD Enhanced Air Filters represent their most market-ready asset with a clear commercialization path in Canada. The successful progression through the Government of Canada's Innovative Solutions Canada program unlocks direct federal procurement - an efficient customer acquisition channel that minimizes sales cycle length and provides institutional validation. Their national sales team buildout and manufacturing partnership approach demonstrate a capital-efficient growth strategy that can be replicated internationally.
The most compelling aspect of their air filtration value proposition is the simultaneous achievement of pathogen control and energy efficiency - addressing the typical trade-off between filtration density and energy consumption. This positions ZenGUARD optimally for utility company partnerships seeking technologies that reduce energy usage while improving health outcomes.
Zentek's international strategy follows a differentiated approach by region: manufacturing partnerships in Saudi Arabia, commissioned representatives in the Middle East, and strategic engagement with Canadian Trade Commissioners in South America. This regionalized approach acknowledges the different market entry requirements across geographies while limiting capital deployment.
The Albany Graphite achievement represents strategic positioning at the intersection of critical materials and energy transition. By achieving nuclear-grade purity levels (5N) with North American supply, they're positioning to capitalize on nuclear power expansion needed to support AI infrastructure energy demands - connecting two significant growth trends.
The Triera Biosciences platform adds a high-potential pharmaceutical component to the portfolio with encouraging early mouse model results showing survival benefits. This diversification across commercial-stage filtration, mid-term graphite development, and early-stage pharmaceutical applications creates a balanced risk profile that isn't wholly dependent on any single technology's success.
GUELPH, ONTARIO / ACCESS Newswire / September 24, 2025 / Zentek Ltd. ("Zentek" or the "Company") (Nasdaq:ZTEK)(TSX-V:ZEN) an intellectual property technology development and commercialization company, is pleased to provide a corporate update.
CEO Transition
As previously announced on September 3, 2025, Zentek's former CEO Greg Fenton has resigned, and CFO Wendy Ford has been appointed Interim CEO. Zentek's Board of Directors has expressed its full confidence in Wendy's ability to guide Zentek during this transition, citing her deep financial expertise, proven leadership within the Company, and strong commitment to advancing Zentek's commercialization strategy. Her appointment ensures continuity in both operations and strategy while the Board of Directors conducts a comprehensive search for a new CEO to support Zentek's next phase of growth.
As part of this process, the Board of Directors has engaged Lock Search Group - a leading executive recruitment firm that helps organizations grow and scale by placing high-impact leaders in mission-critical roles. In tandem with the Board, they will facilitate the search for the Company's next CEO who can provide strategic leadership to communicate and execute Zentek's long-term vision.
ZenGUARD™ Enhanced Air Filters
Canada
As announced on June 12, 2025, ZenGUARD™ Enhanced Air Filters achieved an average infectious aerosol removal efficiency of MS2 bacteriophage of
Controlling infectious aerosols effectively, in line with American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers ("ASHRAE") standard 241
Maintaining this performance without an increase in pressure drop, energy consumption or carbon emissions
Operating with existing Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning ("HVAC") units
Eliminating the need for any additional equipment
Extending filter life and reducing changeout frequency, thereby lowering labour and waste disposal costs compared to denser filters
ZenGUARD™ Enhanced Air Filters were advanced through the Government of Canada's Innovative Solutions Canada ("ISC") program, underscoring their credibility and relevance to public-sector needs and beyond. ISC also profiled Zentek in its "Helping Canadians Breathe Easy" feature, further validating the innovation and potential demand across Canada. As mentioned on October 17, 2023 a result of Zentek's successful ISC Testing Stream project, and eligibility under the Pathway to Commercialization (which "gives small and medium-sized enterprises the opportunity to sell their innovation directly to the Government of Canada"), the Company looks forward to working with Public Services and Procurement Canada to facilitate federal procurement and adoption of ZenGUARD™ Enhanced Air Filters at scale.
To fully capitalize on this unique opportunity, Zentek is actively engaging with customers and manufacturing partners to service both Western and Eastern Canada. In addition, the Company is planning to hire a National Sales Leader - as well as building out a commission-based sales team - to drive adoption of ZenGUARD™ Enhanced Air Filters across key sectors, including commercial, institutional, government, education, and healthcare. This will facilitate direct engagement with both prospective and existing clients, deepen market penetration, and is intended to accelerate revenue growth as Zentek scales its go-to-market strategy in Canada.
The Company believes another one of its unique opportunities is to work with electrical utility companies interested in funding and supporting widespread adoption of technologies that can reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. Zentek can help these organizations achieve this objective simply by using ZenGUARD™ Enhanced Air Filters in place of more dense filters to improve indoor air quality and the requirements of ASHRAE Standard 241, 'Control of Infectious Aerosols.'
As part of its continuing technical business development strategy, Zentek will be presenting at the ASHRAE IEQ 2025 Conference in Montreal, one of the industry's leading global forums on indoor environmental quality. The Company's presentation, "Energy-Efficient Solutions for Improving Indoor Air Quality and Reducing Carbon Emissions in a Canadian School: The Role of Silver-Graphene Oxide Treated HVAC Air Filters", will take place on September 25, 2025 and demonstrate how ZenGUARD™ Enhanced Air Filters deliver superior pathogen removal, measurable energy and CO₂ savings, and seamless compatibility with existing HVAC systems compared to alternative strategies. Showcasing this data to an international audience of experts and decision makers not only further validates ZenGUARD™ Enhanced Air Filters but also expands Zentek's visibility and creates new pathways for business development and strategic partnerships in the HVAC and indoor air quality markets.
Health Canada
Zentek continues to work closely with Health Canada on the regulatory classification of its ZenGUARD™ Enhanced Air Filters, having recently submitted a formal response to the agency's preliminary regulatory position.
The Company continues to evaluate its options during the review period and remains committed to a fair and transparent regulatory process that ensures Canadians have access to innovative, energy-efficient solutions that improve indoor air quality and reduce the spread of respiratory illness.
United States
Zentek continues to explore the optimal product registration pathway to access this market in a timely manner while also ensuring the strategy supports long-term, sustainable growth. This includes exploring options with Altek Advanced Materials Inc., a Nevada incorporated private company focused on the commercialization of advanced material technologies in the United States as previously announced on September 3, 2025.
The Company intends to leverage the supply chain model for its go-to-market strategy in Canada to help support a successful launch in the US when it is able to do so.
International
Zentek continues to create awareness of the unique ZenGUARD™ Enhanced Air Filter value proposition outside of North America by collaborating with partners in the Middle East, India and South America.
In the Middle East, the Company is actively collaborating with its Saudi-based manufacturing partner, Filtration Solutions Industrial Co. ("FSCO"), a leading manufacturer and distributor of air filtration products, to support local deployment and scale-up of ZenGUARD™ Enhanced Air Filters. In the Gulf region, the Company is advancing discussions with large-scale infrastructure stakeholders and government-linked organizations to better understand regional market needs. To help accelerate commercialization, the Company has engaged two experienced commission-based representatives for this region. In addition, the Company's partnership agreement with RSK Group is structured to help coordinate technical and business development activities in the Middle East. The Company believes these efforts position it to advance pilot installations, regulatory alignment, and regional manufacturing strategies in line with national climate and energy-efficiency goals
With its partners in India, the Company has entered into non-disclosure agreements with HVAC filter manufacturers and end customers to explore opportunities for commercializing ZenGUARD™ Enhanced Air Filters and other products. The Company continues to deepen strategic partnerships through a local presence in India, including initiatives with academic institutions and industrial collaborators.
The Company is also focusing on South America, where the Company is working closely with Canadian Trade Commissioners to identify and develop key market opportunities. To accelerate adoption, Zentek has engaged a commissioned salesperson dedicated to the region, to support direct engagement with potential partners, customers and government stakeholders. This combined approach of on-the-ground representation and diplomatic support is designed to establish early traction, foster trusted relationships, and position ZenGUARD™ Enhanced Air Filters as a leading solution for energy efficiency, emissions reduction, and improved indoor air quality across South American markets
Albany Graphite Corp.
Albany Graphite Corp. recently achieved a major milestone, purifying its graphite to 5N (
This achievement comes at a time when artificial intelligence ("AI") and data centres are reshaping global energy demand. According to a recent report by the International Energy Agency, global electricity demand from data centres is projected to more than double by 2030, driven largely by AI workloads.1Meeting this demand sustainably will require a significant expansion of nuclear power generation, which many expert analyses, including research by Goldman Sachs, identify as a critical part of the energy mix to provide reliable, carbon-free baseload capacity.2
By developing a clean, natural, North American source of nuclear-grade graphite, Albany has the potential to play a strategic role in enabling the AI revolution, supplying the material critical to nuclear reactors that will power the data centers driving global digital transformation. In doing so, Zentek is not only advancing a high-value resource project but also positioning itself at the nexus of two megatrends: the rise of AI computing power and the need for secure, sustainable clean energy infrastructure.
As development of the Albany Graphite deposit progresses, Zentek is working closely with Constance Lake First Nation ("CLFN") and engaging with government partners to ensure the project creates meaningful local benefits. Our approach emphasizes collaboration, transparency, and long-term value sharing, with a focus on training, employment, and economic opportunities for the community. By advancing Albany in partnership with CLFN and within the framework of government support for critical minerals, we aim to demonstrate how projects of this scale can deliver not only strategic supply chain security but also lasting social and environmental value for the region.
TrieraBiosciences
Triera Biosciences continues to develop the multivalent aptamer platform technology with Dr. Yingfu Li at McMaster University. Over the last year as part of the
On September 18, 2025, Zentek provided a preliminary update on the in vivo (mouse model) testing of the lead candidate developed for H5N1 as a prophylactic agent against A(H1N1) pdm09. Animals given the aptamer lead candidate prophylactically had substantially improved clinical scores, 5x greater survival rates,
Following up on these encouraging results, researchers have improved the formulation and administration schedule of the treatment and have prepared materials for more comprehensive testing of the lead candidate's performance against H1N1 and H5N1, which is scheduled to begin in a few weeks.
Annual Meeting of Shareholders
Zentek's 2025 Annual General and Special Meeting will be held on Thursday, September 25 at 11 am at the offices of Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP, 222 Bay Street, Suite 3000, Toronto, Ontario.
All questions and comments can be directed to info@zentek.com.
About Zentek Ltd.
Zentek is an ISO 13485:2016 certified intellectual property technology company focused on the research, development and commercialization of novel products seeking to give the Company's commercial partners a competitive advantage by making their products better, safer, and greener.
Zentek's patented technology platform ZenGUARD™ is shown to have enhanced viral filtration efficiency for surgical masks and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems. Zentek's ZenGUARD™ production facility is in Guelph, Ontario.
Zentek has a global exclusive license to the Aptamer-based platform technology developed by McMaster University which is being jointly developed Zentek and McMaster for both the diagnostic and therapeutic markets.
For further information:
investorrelations@zentek.com
Ryan Shacklock
Tel: (306) 270-9610
Email: rshacklock@zentek.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although Zentek believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Zentek disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
SOURCE: Zentek Ltd.
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
FAQ
What led to the CEO change at Zentek (ZTEK) in September 2025?
What are the key performance metrics of Zentek's ZenGUARD Enhanced Air Filters?
What significant milestone did Zentek's Albany Graphite Corp achieve in 2025?
What were the results of Triera Biosciences' H5N1 treatment testing?
What is Zentek's international expansion strategy for ZenGUARD filters?
