CBTEK Names Dr. Arkesh Mehta as Chief Executive Officer

CBTEK, LLC, develops and markets technologically advanced security solutions to detect and identify chemical and biological agents, today announced that it has named Arkesh Mehta, PhD, a 25-year veteran of the Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutical industry, as Chief Executive Officer. Effective immediately, Dr. Mehta is assuming the CEO responsibilities.

Silver Spring, MD (PRWEB) April 6, 2004 --CBTEK, LLC, develops and markets technologically advanced security solutions to detect and identify chemical and biological agents, today announced that it has named Arkesh Mehta, PhD, a 25-year veteran of the Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutical industry, as Chief Executive Officer. Effective immediately, Dr. Mehta is assuming the CEO responsibilities.

Dr. Mehta brings an extensive background in Research & Development, marketing and executive management. Prior to joining CBTEK, he was the President and Chief Executive Officer at Biopharmaceutical Integration Technologies, a leader in biopharmaceutical process development and analytical technologies. Arkesh Mehta is well known within the global biotech community. He has more than 25 years of experience in biotechnology that spans federal and university institutes as well as regulatory agencies. He was formerly CSO for LGA Inc. As CIO for Biotechnology Industry Organization he was instrumental in forming Interoperable Informatics Infrastructure Consortium (I3C) along with IBM, SUN Microsystems, Millennium Pharmaceuticals, and Biogen to set data standards for life sciences. He has been instrumental in helping establish five biotech start-ups in US and has invested in and served on the Board of three others. He also served in the Office of the Commissioner, FDA, worked with Office of the Chief Counsel, FDA and Office of R&D, US EPA. He has a PhD in biotechnology from MS University and served as associate professor of Research at Cornell University. "I am very proud of CBTEK and all that we have accomplished over the past one year. While I'm reducing my day-to-day role in the company, I plan to remain actively involved as president, helping with strategy and continuing to work with customers and partners," said Mr. Ngwana. "I am extremely pleased that we have been able to attract a leader of Arkesh Mehta's skills and background, and I look forward to working with him." "I'm very pleased to be joining CBTEK," said Dr. Mehta. "I am excited by its products, services and market opportunity and am looking forward to working closely with Albert Ngwana and the entire CBTEK team."

About CBTEK, LLC.
CBTEK develops and commercializes hand held biological & chemical agent detectors for the public emergency services. This is a rapidly growing market in the US arising from the establishment of domestic preparedness programs in response to a Presidential directive. Police and fire departments would be the major users of these detection systems, as the first services on the scene when responding to chemical accidents or terrorist activities. The annual market for chemical agent detection equipment is expected to reach $150 million a year within the next five years, at an annual growth rate of 20%.

Integrated Systems
In addition to equipment for the detection market, CBTEK will develop and manufactures systems to integrate sensors onto military vehicles used on the battlefield. A number of international contracts are expected over the next five years for the supply of chemical and biological systems for integration into army reconnaissance vehicles.