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Agroterror overview
The vast dispersion of the American agriculture industry makes prevention of agroterror difficult; the best approach is a tracking and mitigation regime that prevents infection after an attack; GIS technology, matched up with RFID tags and sensors, is the most likely solution
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Promising test results for SIGA's smallpox drug
The prospect of terrorists infecting the population with smallpox is taken seriously by those in charge of biodefense;
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VaxGen on the brink after FDA puts a clinical hold on anthrax vaccine
Concerned about stability, FDA tells VaxGen to hold off on phase 2 testing; Health and Human Services looks ready to terminate $877 million contract; with $50 million in cash on hand but no revenue stream, company stock plunges in Friday trading
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Cornell scientists fight back against Hendra and Nipah viruses
Emerging technique inhibits the zoonotic viruses from binding to human cells; both Hendra and Nipah are seen as potential bioweapons
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CA spinach and lettuce industry volunteers itself for regulatory oversight
Worried about flagging consumer confidence, the Western Growers Association asks state health officials to pass tougher food safety rules; proposed penalties could include injunctions against sale and criminal prosecution
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WHO challenges China over new bird flu strain
Government denies emergence of new strain, but WHO and other authorities disagree; information sharing at issue; WHO hopes China will soon agree to upload gene sequences to a public data base
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Salmonella outbreak prompts a review of detection and food safety products
We take a look back on our reporting for the year and offer readers a close look at some innovative approaches; Warnex receives CDC approval for detection system; Department of Agriculture steps up inspection and reporting regimes; Alto-Shaam offers food monitoring technology
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Expert says surgical masks a simple but effective pandemic response
As compared to respirators, citizens find surgical masks comfortable and would therefor be more likely to use them; aerosol transmission the leading cause of infection; price is 10 cents per unit, but enterprising firms should note that U.S. demand alone could reach 20 billion
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Achaogen announces $24.7 million DTRA deal to combat anthrax and plague
Four-year deal with Defense Threat Reduction Agency will focus on inhibiting antibiotic-resistant strains; once weakened, bacteria are vulnerable to fluoroquinolones and other antibacterial drugs; deal comes in the wake of a succesfully completed Series B funding round
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Listening in on bacteria “conversations” help in efforts to keep deadly infections in check
There may be a debate about the legality of eavesdropping by the NSA on U.S. phone conversation, but few would question listening in on conversations among bacteria – conversations carried out by chemical signals bacteria use to communicate with each other – because these conversations give us knowledge on how to block deadly infections
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Judge allows Boston biosafety lab to continue construction
Level 4 facility will study deadly microbes such as ebola and anthrax, and so local residents are reasonably nervous; court allows NIH-sponsored program to continue while environmental and public health concerns are reevaluated; possibility left open for a future injunction
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Biowarfare threat a business opportunity for laboratory industry
Planned expansion of secure bioweapons labs creates a demand for equipment; water testing devices a critical need; automated cyanide analyzers, total organic content, and purge-and-trap sample concentrators among other specialized tools
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PharmAthene and Medarex receive DoD grant for anthrax treatment
Unlike antibiotics, the companies’ monoclonal antibody approach should be effective days after exposure; an effective attack will be surreptitious, so the need for long-term treatment is great
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