Core technologies in multiple industries
Technology
Rapid Microbe Detection (Broad Patent
Protection)
- Fermentation
2000
- Homeland
Security 2002
- Blood Products 2006
Our world changed:
- Terrorism came to our doorstep
- Our sense of security was affected
- We understood our vulnerability
ANTHRAX by mail
Bio‐terrorism became real
The Problem: Anthrax 2001The real thing
- Anthrax Found at White House Mail Facility.
- Brentwood Mail Distribution Center – 2 deaths.
- Letter to Senate Majority Leader, Tom Daschle
- Letter to NBC’s Tom Brokaw.
- American Media building contaminated.
- American Media's estimates the attack has cost company $10 million + $50,000/month in security of abandoned building.
- 22 people infected.
The cost of bio‐hazard incidents is enormous:
Total U.S. Costs = $5 Billion/year 2002
Tough Dilemma
FIRST CHOICE
Assume
Worst Case
“Bio‐Hazard”
- Close Facility
- Send Employees Home
- Start Threat Verification
- Start Decontamination
— Costly —
SECOND CHOICE
Assume
Best Case
“Hoax”
- Keep Facility Open
- Reassure Employees
- Start Threat Verification?
- Commence Cleanup
— Risky —
THE PROBLEM
Incomplete
Data
An Example…
United States Postal Service
Average Shutdown: 4hours
Cost per
hour: $10,000
2002: 20,000 shutdowns lasting 4 or more hours
Total
Cost: >$800 million
The Response
The solution to onsite credible bio‐threat verification.
Technology
Toxin Screens
Microbe Screen
- Immunoassay test strips.
- Screen for Ricin, Botlinum and SEB Toxins.
- Actual test time is 10 minutes.
- Reproducibility is 99%.
- Sensitivity to 50 ng/mL.
Modified Pathogens
Published online before print May 21, 2004, 10.1073/pnas.0402414101PNAS | June 1, 2004 | vol. 101 | no. 22 | 8449‐8454
Microbiology
Identification of anthrax toxin genes in a Bacillus cereus associated with an illness resembling inhalation anthrax
Alex R. Hoffmaster *, Jacques Ravel, David A. Rasko, Gail D. Chapman, Michael D. Chute, Chung K. Marston*, Barun K. De *, Claudio T. Sacchi *, Collette Fitzgerald *, Leonard W. Mayer *, Martin C. J. Maiden, Fergus G. Priest, Margaret Barker, Lingxia Jiang , Regina Z. Cer , Jennifer Rilstone , Scott N. Peterson , Robbin S. Weyant *, Darrell R. Galloway, Timothy D. Read, Tanja Popovic * and Claire M. Fraser **
Features- Comprehensive
- Field Tested
- Rugged
- Immediate Results (10 min)
- Sample integrity maintained
- Portable
- Decon Friendly
- 24/7 Technical Support
- Validated by Battelle
- Data Transfer Capable
With the Prime Alert, you can…
- Mitigate the consequences of real terrorist threats.
- Maximize business continuity.
- Minimize the impact on the community at large.
- Ensure the safety and security of personnel.
- Minimize fear and uncertainty.
Major Cost Reduction
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Average
Shutdown: 4hours 1 hour* Cost per hour: $10,000 $10,000 2002: 20k 4+hr most eliminated Total Cost: >$800 million 75%+ cost reduction |
Some Key Customers
Hazmat Teams:
Atlanta Fire Dept.
Beverly Hills Fire Dept.
Chicago Fire Dept.
Seattle Fire Dept.
Washington D.C. Special Operations
Las Vegas PD
Several Statewide Contracts
Military:
Defense Forces of Ireland
Fairchild Air Force Base
Navy Regional Fire Rescue
U.S. Army Aberdeen Proving Ground
U.S. Army Dugway Proving Ground
Singapore Civil Defense Forces
Government:
U.S. Postal Inspection Service
Training Programs:
LSU Academy of Counter Terrorism
Office for Domestic Preparedness
Corporate Security:
Baylor Medical Center
Houston Chronicle
Northern Trust Company
U.S. Steel Corporation
Progressive Insurance