Ahura Scientific reaches two milestones: Achieves $100 million in revenues and serves 100 pharmaceutical facilities

Ahura Scientific, Inc.Sep 17 2009

Ahura Scientific, Inc., the leader in field-deployed analytical instruments for human health and public safety, today announced two milestones: it has reached $100 million in product revenue since its first product shipment in 2005 and the company now serves more than 100 pharmaceutical facilities within two years of introducing its TruScan device to the market.

Ahura Scientific has brought mobility to industries whose solutions were once confined to a laboratory. The company's rapid expansion is based on the need for handheld instruments that can rapidly identify and authenticate chemicals and other substances in the safety and security, pharmaceutical and industrial markets. Innovation in each of these markets has led to broad use of Ahura Scientific instruments worldwide.

“Just as companies transformed the telecommunications industry from landline to wireless and beyond, we are transforming the $40B analytical and life sciences instrument market to provide life-saving information in a mobile format,” said Doug Kahn, chairman and CEO, Ahura Scientific. “We are dedicated to expanding the industries we serve and providing proven science to those in the field.”

Ahura Scientific launched its initial product, FirstDefender, in 2005. The instrument, a rugged handheld Raman spectrometer, enables military personnel and first responders to identify toxic materials, explosives, chemical warfare agents and narcotics. The company later launched TruDefender FT, an FTIR spectrometer that complements FirstDefender for a broader range of chemical identification capabilities.

In 2007, Ahura Scientific applied its expertise to the pharmaceutical market, helping global pharmaceutical manufacturers ensure the safety of their supply chain through raw material verification and anti-counterfeit measures. The company launched TruScan, a handheld instrument that can immediately identify raw materials and finished goods. The instrument can scan through sealed packaging, including bottles or blister packs, without opening them. Currently, nine out of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies (by revenue) have actively deployed TruScan for raw material verification and anti-counterfeit activities.

Ahura Scientific’s latest product, TruScreen, demonstrates the company’s continued commitment to provide life-saving instruments to the world’s most pressing safety and security issues, in this case, the commercial aviation industry. Designed to complement existing security measures, TruScreen rapidly and accurately screens for potential liquid explosives, quickly distinguishing between benign substances and threat-listed materials, such as explosives and precursors. TruScreen is part of extensive laboratory and operational trials globally and is now shipping with limited availability.

For the second year in a row, Ahura Scientific was named to Inc. magazine’s list of the 500 fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. For 2009, the company ranks 25^th overall and No. 1 for the “Security” market, encompassing both human health and public safety.

“Ahura Scientific has proven itself to be a true innovator in the many markets it serves, bringing proven laboratory techniques directly into the field where they are needed most,” said Nina Saberi, managing general partner of Castile Ventures. “Castile recognizes in Ahura Scientific the combination of technical expertise and strategic vision that will help fuel the company’s continuing growth.”