Jackson Stephens

In 1987, Stephens began a quest that turned into a lifelong passion to explore and understand the role of oxygen in biological systems for use in diagnostics and therapeutics. To help direct that effort, Stephens hired Robert C. Allen, Ph.D., M.D.[2] One of the great chemists of the modern era, Dr. Allen had discovered cellular chemiluminescence. Allen's understanding of the quantum mechanics of the neutrophil, white blood cells, and the human immune system was the key to his invention of a chemiluminescence diagnostic system that provides comprehensive, point-of-care analysis of a patient's illness-disease profile. In developing this diagnostic system, Dr. Allen also discovered the role that myeloperoxidase plays in the human immune system and its natural ability to selectively bind and kill pathogens. Dr. Allen previously worked as a pathologist for Basil Pruitt,[3] surgeon, known as one of the founding fathers of modern trauma and burn medicine.

Stephens founded Exoxemis in 1987 and since that time has collaborated with Dr. Allen on the development and commercialization of Zempia®,[4] the company's trade name for the first-ever, topical antiseptic that works safely in blood. Stephens and Dr. Allen have co-authored a number of peer-reviewed journal articles on the microbicidal activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO), the active pharmaceutical ingredient in Zempia®. In 2010, the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) published a seminal paper in The Journal of Infection and Immunity titled “Myeloperoxidase Selectively Binds and Selectively Kills Microbes.”[5] An initial patent (priority date February 1991) was issued on the Zempia® technology in 1999. This initial patent was the foundation and enabled subsequent method and composition patents to be filed worldwide.

Stephens began playing an electric piano with his boyhood friend Jimmy Roberts in 1964. The duo formed a band and after several name changes decided on Rayburn. They played clubs, opened for Three Dog Night, and acted as Chuck Berry’s backing band when he played in town. In 1974, Jimmy Roberts died of spinal cancer, and Stephens put his musical interests aside. In 2009, Jimmy Roberts’ older brother suggested a reunion of living band members. Since 2010, Rayburn has released two albums, one of which was nominated in three Grammy categories.[10]

From 1973 to 1983, Stephens worked in all aspects of his family's firm, Stephens Inc., in Little Rock. At that time, it was an investment/merchant bank, which took Walmart, J.B. Hunt, and others public while making investments for its own account. During his 10 years at Stephens, the firm became the largest investment bank off Wall Street in terms of capital and remained so until 1985.[11][12]

Stephens received a bachelor's degree in business and economics from Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas.[13]

Stephens’ founding of Exoxemis in 1987 guided him on a lifelong path of independent empirical studies, reading, and research in the fields of oxygen physics, cellular luminescence, biochemistry, and antiseptics.