As the Homeland Security Department increases the priority level placed on bioterrorism, and the government pushes forward in the development of Project BioShield, the necessity for evolved and adaptive technology and methods to prevent and resolve such threats, becomes a major focus for National Security and the industry at large.

Security Secretary Michael Chertoff recently presented the results of the Department of Homeland Security’s Second Stage Review, which consists of an evaluation of the Department’s operations, policies and structures. Subsequent to the release of the results of this review, a renewed sense of priority regarding the nation’s ability to detect biological attacks became apparent. As Chertoff states, “we must also prepare for terror attacks of even greater consequence -- attacking transit systems with biological, radiological or chemical agents. We now have in place a network of bio-sensors, but we will accelerate the development and deployment of the next generation technology in bio-sensors to more quickly detect biological, radiological, and chemical attacks.”

According to a report by Civitas Group, “In terms of the severity of consequences, the threat of a terrorist attack against the homeland involving a nuclear or biological weapon is the most worrisome scenario facing the United States today.” With that said, the report revealed that the biological sensor market is still fairly undeveloped, but is experiencing significant forward progression as a result of the government’s focus on such technology and biological threats. According to Mark Shaheen, a Principal at the Civitas Group, “The Second Stage Review indicates the intention of the Department to take a more significant role in biodefense, as evidenced by Chertoff's creation of a Chief Medical Officer who will be a direct, more senior official with responsibility for biodefense issues at the department; this is a positive sign.” 

Government programs such as Project Bioshield that was implemented to help spark participation in biodefense from the private sector, and in particular from biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, has further emphasized the prioritization of the threat level associated with bioterrorism. However, Mr. Shaheen explains, while there is significant market potential for biosensors, the impact of BioShield is yet to be fully determined. 

Working in conjunction with biodefense efforts is CryoPort (OTC.PK: CYRX), a manufacturer of a one-way, one-time use, disposable cryogenic shipper used for the transportation of infectious materials such as anthrax, thereby providing a countermeasure to bioterrorism. According to Peter Berry, CEO of CryoPort, “Our focus is on a one way throw away unit, which after it has been used to transport infectious materials can be disposed of very easily, making it appropriate for Homeland Defense, especially given the current situation with most countries very much being on the defensive with regards to what is going on in the terrorism world.” 

The recent Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Science, and Technology Hearing: “Project BioShield: Linking Bioterrorism Threats and Countermeasure Procurement to Enhance Terrorism Preparedness” that took place in Washington brought to light some key issues associated with today’s bioterrorist threats. The purpose of this hearing, according to the Committee on Homeland Security “was to examine the Department of Homeland Security’s effectiveness in assessing the chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats to national security as directed by the “Project BioShield Act of 2004” (BioShield).” 

Providing testimony at this hearing was Hollis-Eden Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: HEPH), developer of the drug Neumune™, which is designed as a treatment for Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS). As Robert Marsella, Senior Vice President of Hollis-Eden explains, “BioShield was created to incentivize and excite the private sector; pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies to make the next generation countermeasures. The reason it was created was to offset some of the risks that companies face in the development of drugs for bioterrorism. It is a learning process for the Federal government to deal with pharmaceutical companies like they deal with defense contractors. To commit to buying something before it is FDA approved is a new process and one which entails a learning curve. Hollis is one of the main players and believes that they are going to get to the finish line.” Marsella describes the need for participating companies to receive advanced contracts, “the government must identify the market before companies can make the commitment to development, so they can go to their investors with a clear path to market. That is how you drive capital formation and this is the message we are trying to get through to Capital Hill during these talks.” 

Aethlon Medical (OTCBB: AEMD), developer of the Hemopurifier™, a therapeutic device able to deliver the immune response of clearing pathogens and related toxins from circulation in the body, saw James Joyce, the Company’s CEO, testify at the BioShield hearing. Joyce also participated in a Biodefense roundtable with health officials from National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Health and Human Services (HHS), industry leaders, in addition to various congressmen and women. Mr. Joyce explains, “The feedback I received is that it is accepted within the inner circle of infectious disease thought leaders that therapeutic innovation happens in small research organizations. These leaders want to make sure that the language or new changes in policy are inclusive of small companies as they want to do the things necessary to help these small organizations.”  

A key issue within Project BioShield and the biodefense industry, points to the necessity of assessing and addressing the needs of today, to evaluate the countermeasures that the nation currently has in place. According to Mr. Joyce, “There needs to be systems of efficiency to bring these products to market and the focus needs to shift to a thought process of what is available today to serve as a countermeasure against these pathogens? This is where our technology becomes extremely important.” 

Joyce is pushing for BioShield to evolve beyond a vaccine initiative. “If you look at the multitude of pathogens we have to address, the only way you are going to be able to attack such a wide range, combined with the issues of genetic modification or engineering, is through new immunotherapeutic treatments that help increase the ability to clear viruses from circulation; treatments that help the body to respond to multiple pathogens regardless of what they are. Vaccine development against a multitude of different diseases can be a monetary black hole; therefore you have to look at other types of therapeutics,” states Joyce.  

Addressing the need for real-time response to potential biological threats is Roaming Messenger (OTCBB: RMSG), an interactive messaging solution provider that allows corporations and government agencies to deliver critical information in a more secure and effective manner. "Unfortunately, the world we live in has become increasingly more dangerous and we must use the best technology available to overcome and respond to these new threats," states Jon Lei, Roaming Messenger's CEO. "The time has come for our technology and we are excited to be working with various partners in exploring ways to deliver best of breed solutions that will enhance global security."  

Roaming Messenger’s interactive messaging technology is being integrated into the FirstWatch bio-surveillance system for a government public health organization. Firstwatch is a system, from Stout Solutions, designed to analyze data from critical public health and public safety systems such as 911, paramedic field data systems, hospital emergency department records and other data sources, for abnormalities in call patterns and call types that may indicate a stealth biological attack, emerging public health threat or other significant user defined event. Once an event is detected, the FirstWatch system automatically dispatches a Roaming Messenger enabled alert, which tracks down the appropriate responder on any of his or her wired or wireless devices, providing real-time information and response capabilities. 

Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, recently presented Roaming Messenger with the ‘2005 Excellence in Technology of the Year Award’ in biological surveillance technologies, recognizing the Company’s innovative and interactive messaging technology platform, Roaming Messenger (RM). "The RM technology encapsulates both data AND workflow logic into smart software messengers. These messengers are able to roam across wired and wireless devices, tracking down and interacting with appropriate first responders and emergency management personnel, alerting them about a biological incident to facilitate their timely response," says Frost & Sullivan research analyst Michael Valenti.

Working towards advances in vaccine related countermeasures is MDM Group (OTC.PK: MDDM), a company that identifies, through their Biodefense Division, areas of urgent need and opportunity dealing with emergency events related to biological warfare and bioterrorism. The major focus of the Biodefense Division is the development of vaccines and screening solutions, for more effective vaccines against bioterror bugs and infectious disease situations considered bioterrorism threats.

Ann-Marie Fleming
Ann-Marie Fleming completed her MBA in the United States, where she attended Webster University. She also holds an Honors B.A from the University of Toronto. She has over fifteen years of experience spanning the brokerage, banking, and mortgage industries within the United States and Canada.

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