Avacta Group plc - Delivery of prototype mobile chemical detection system to MOD Porton Down
11 Jul 2008
Avacta Group plc ("Avacta"), which develops detection and analysis technology aimed at the pharmaceutical, diagnostics and defence & security markets, announces it has successfully delivered on its contract with the UK Ministry of Defence Laboratories at Porton Down. As announced on 3 September 2007, Avacta entered into a contract with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) to develop a prototype device for mobile detection of chemicals in the field using its laser detection and diagnostic technology.
Avacta completed its development work on schedule and has delivered the technology to the MOD for testing. The aim is to provide improved capabilities for the identification of chemicals at a safe distance which could be of significant benefit to the homeland security and defence sectors.
The Directors believe that there are commercialisation opportunities for Avacta both in military and civilian markets, as the rapid detection of unknown substances at a safe distance could have numerous applications and strong demand.
Professor Alastair Smith, Chief Executive, Avacta, commented: "The development team has done an outstanding job to deliver a complex and advanced system on time to the MOD and is expecting a positive outcome following the testing now being undertaken. We are working with Porton Down throughout this phase and are excited about developing the final product for use in the field. This long range chemical identification system could be of great benefit to security and defence operations world wide. It is one of several product developments in Avacta for portable chemical and biological threat detection that I am delighted to report are progressing well and generating strong interest in the market".
Enquiries:
Avacta Group
plc
Tel: 0870 835
4367
Alastair Smith, Chief
Executive
Officer
Tim Sykes, Chief Financial
Officer
Haggie Financial
LLP
Tel: 020 7417
8989
Nicholas Nelson / Kathy
Boate
WH Ireland
Limited
Tel: 0161 832
2174
David
Youngman
Novum Securities
Limited
Tel: 020 7562
4700
Henry Turcan / Michael
Brennan
Notes to Editors:
About Avacta
Avacta was spun-out from the University of Leeds in 2004 by its
current management team as a biophysics company, with the aim of
combining the disciplines of physics and biology to develop
innovative technologies and expert technical services to address
needs in the pharmaceutical, defence and clinical diagnostics
markets. Avacta has a core bio-analytical technology development
programme addressing the needs of the biopharmaceutical sector to
fully characterise their new products at the earliest stage in
their development to reduce the risk of late stage failure. High
value solutions in defence and clinical diagnostics are also being
provided by these core bio-analytical technologies. A successful
and growing part of the Avacta business model is its technical
services arm, Avacta Analytical Ltd, which is
focused on providing leading edge contract research to the
biopharmaceutical and healthcare/personal-care materials sectors.
Avacta listed on AIM in August 2006 through the reverse takeover of
Readybuy plc which changed its name to Avacta Group plc.
