Tools and Technology for a Better Life
Delray Beach, Florida USA (PRWEB) October 19, 2011
PositiveID Corporation (“PositiveID” or “Company”) (OTCBB: PSID), a developer of medical technologies for diabetes management, clinical diagnostics and bio-threat detection, announced that it has launched a Ricin detection assay, which was developed under and funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) Science and Technologies (“S&T”) division to meet the specific needs that DHS has in securing the nation against biological threats. Ricin, a chemical warfare agent, is derived from the seeds of the castor oil plant Ricinus communis and has become a tool of terrorist groups across the world due to its effortless production and high toxicity.
PositiveID’s MicroFluidic Systems subsidiary (“MFS”) developed the immunodetection assay, which is now available, for the rapid identification of Ricin toxin. In addition to the individual detection of Ricin toxin, MFS also offers a triplex assay for the simultaneous detection of three toxins: Ricin, Botulinum, and Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B (SEB). The white paper can be found on the Company’s website.
Mr. Lyle Probst, Vice President of Programs at MFS, said, “Our assay for the identification of Ricin toxin, which has the potential to be used as an agent of biological warfare, relies on proven and well understood technologies. In a recent evaluation of our immunodetection assay for Ricin compared to the current gold standard method of identification, the MFS Assay for the identification of Ricin is equivalent or better. As an additional advantage, with minimal effort, this assay can be reconfigured to fit other commercial platforms.”
PositiveID Corporation (OTCBB: PSID) develops unique medical devices and molecular diagnostic systems focused primarily on diabetes management, rapid medical testing and airborne bio-threat detection. Its wholly-owned subsidiary, MicroFluidic Systems or MFS, is focused on the development of microfluidic systems for the automated preparation of and performance of biological assays. PositiveID Corporation was formed on November 10, 2009 through the merger of VeriChip Corporation and Steel Vault Corporation.
In May 2011, PositiveID acquired California-based Microfluidic Systems, founded in 2001, which specializes in the development and production of automated instruments for detecting and processing of biological samples. MFS' core technology is used for airborne pathogen detection, rapid clinical diagnostics and sample preparation applications.
MFS' microfluidic technology alleviates all existing problems by replacing robotics with integrated microfluidics, reducing cost and increasing reliability. The company’s microfluidic technology also automates and increases the effectiveness of key sample processing steps used today on the laboratory bench-top, into a closed automated system. The embedded devices perform cell lysis (including difficult spores) in less than 1 minute at low power, nucleic acid purification along with inhibitor removal and pre-concentration of the nucleic acids up to factors of 1000X within minutes. These processes all occur autonomously within a fully contained disposable microfluidic cartridge.
PositiveID operates in two main divisions: HealthID and SecurityID. The HealthID segment develops unique medical devices, focused primarily on diabetes management, and rapid medical testing applications. Its SecurityID segment develops airborne bio-threat detection systems.
An integral part of the history of PositiveID is its radio-frequency identification (RFID) implantable microchip for patient identification, the VeriChip. The company's RFID microchip traces back to the events of September 11, 2001, when New York firemen wrote their badge ID numbers on their chests in case they were found injured or unconscious. It was evident there was a serious need for personal information in emergency situations and the product, modeled after a similar microchip used in pets, evolved from there. The company received FDA clearance for the microchip in October 2004.
For more information or an interview with PositiveID Corporation (OTCBB: PSID) please email or call for scheduling:
Allison Tomek
Sr. VP, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
PositiveID Corporation (OTCBB: PSID.)
T: 561-805-8044
F: 561-805-8001
atomek(at)positiveidcorp(dot)com
PositiveID Corporation (OTCBB: PSID) Tools and Technology for a Better Life
http://positiveidcorp.com
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Safe Harbor Statement
Statements about PositiveID’s future expectations, including the likelihood that DHS S&T directed and funded the development of the Company’s immunodetection assay for the identification of Ricin toxin to meet the specific needs that DHS has in securing the nation against biological threats; the likelihood that Ricin has become a tool of terrorist groups across the world due to its effortless production and high toxicity; the likelihood that the Company’s assay for the identification of Ricin toxin relies on proven and well understood technologies; the likelihood that the Company’s immunodetection assay for Ricin compared to the current gold standard method of identification is equivalent or better; the likelihood that, with minimal effort, this assay can be reconfigured to fit other commercial platforms; and all other statements in this press release other than historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, and PositiveID’s actual results could differ materially from expected results. These risks and uncertainties include PositiveID’s ability to successfully commercialize the immunodetection assay for Ricin toxin, as well as certain other risks. Additional information about these and other factors that could affect the Company’s business is set forth in the Company’s various filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those set forth in the Company’s 10-K filed on March 25, 2011, and 10-Qs filed on May 13, 2011 and August 15, 2011, under the caption “Risk Factors.” The Company undertakes no obligation to update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this statement or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.
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