US MILITARY ACCIDENTALLY SHIPS LIVE ANTHRAX VIA FEDEX; THESE ARE THE STOCKS TO WATCH IN ITS WAKE
June 02 2015 - 5:01PM
InvestorsHub NewsWire
WINDSOR, ONTARIO – June 1, 2015 -- InvestorsHub
NewsWire -- The Wealthy Biotech
Trader,
an Investment Newsletter focused on showing everyday Investors new
opportunities in rapidly growing, little-known, Biotech stocks
making news and subsequent market moves.
This week it came to light that live anthrax
samples were sent around the United States and out of the country,
at times via FedEx. While reportedly there is no public
health threat in this case, the media attention and event does put
increased government focus on preparing for such an event.
Along these lines, a device that could quickly and inexpensively
test for the presence of such pathogens could have prevented the
problem all together as well as helped secure the public
afterwards. Positive ID’s (OTC: PSID) Firefly
Dx is one such device under development. Other
companies also involved in similar equipment or treatments whose
stocks could get a boost are Rosetta Genomics
(NASDAQ:ROSG), PharmAthene (NYSE:PIP), and Nanosphere
(NASDAQ:NSPH).
ANTHRAX INADVERTENTLY SHIPPED AROUND THE
WORLD
A Maryland based lab sounded the alarm last
Wednesday that it received live samples of anthrax. The lab
notified the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and
prompted it to investigate. So far, four lab workers in the
United States and up to 22 globally were put into post-exposure
treatment for anthrax after the U.S. military mistakenly shipped
live anthrax samples to locations in nine
states.
The live samples, at times sent via FedEx, were
shipped under a less intensive protocol because they were thought
to be dead. The Department of Defense (DOD) has stated there
is no risk to the public from the shipments. The people
exposed in the labs were largely military personal with the
exception of three civilians and four contractors. Currently,
no personnel have displayed signs of
exposure.
The samples were shipped under a research
program and are an example of the possible risks to the public
every day. While live samples are not supposed to be
transported in this fashion, mistakes can happen and create public
health risks. The need for random, rapid testing in
situations like this is critical.
Ironically, A DOD SPOKESMAN SAID THE
DEPARTEMENT WAS SENDING THE SUPPOSEDLY DEAD SAMPLES TO HELP DEVELOP
A FIELD TEST TO IDENTIFY BIOLOGICAL THREATS in the
environment. Technology like the Firefly Dx from
PositiveID (OTC: PSID) is seeking the same goal. The
DOD statement helps confirm the need for these devices in the
market today.
There is both a military and general public
health market for these devices. The military is at risk in
the field and needs devices to test for it in a combat setting as
well as in the lab. In this instance, shipping and logistics
companies like FedEx could use products like the Firefly
Dx to quickly scan packages for biological and chemical
agents. While the DOD and CDC do not believe there is a
larger health risk here, there really is no way prevent just that
from happening in the future. When PositiveID’s (OTC:
PSID) Firefly Dx is on the market, it could perform this
test and confirm these statements without the delay of doing lab
based testing.
POSITIVE ID’S FIREFLY DX COULD BE A
SOLUTION
PositiveID (OTC: PSID)
and other companies are developing technology to
quickly identify threats like this recent example with
anthrax. The market for a product that works quickly in the
field to accurately test for threats from pathogens, such as viral
pathogens, bacteria and other environmental
containments.
In early May, PositiveID (OTC:
PSID) announced that it had successfully tested for E.
Coli with its Firefly Dx handheld device. On
May 27, it issued another press release that the device detected
influenza successfully. This maker of biological
detection and diagnostic tools uses polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
to quickly test for these pathogens. The influenza added a
challenges since it is an RNA virus and requires a reverse
transcription step prior to a PCR test. PositiveID
(OTC: PSID) was able to create cDNA from the RNA and use
this for the test. This is a positive sign that the
Firefly Dx can test for additional RNA viruses
that are potential threats.
Based on what the Company has learned from the
development of M-BAND, a product developed under a
Department of Homeland Security contract jointly marketed through
their partner Boeing, the Firefly Dx can as well
test for anthrax and other potentially weaponized
pathogens. The market here stretches beyond the medical
field and would also include first responders and Homeland
Security. According to research from IQ4I Research &
Consultancy, the quantitative PCR and real-time testing markets
could grow to $5.65 billion by
2020.
STOCKS THAT COULD
BENEFIT
PositiveID (OTC: PSID)
and PharmAthene (NYSE: PIP)
shares both have significant upside from events like this.
Any time media attention shifts to biological and chemical threats
we could see an increase in government focus on possible
solutions. Positive ID’s Firefly Dx is a
solution for rapid detection and PharmAthene's
(NYSE:PIP) products are the medical response after it is
detected. These are the two most critical needs in the fight
against accidents and more malicious use of these
agents.
In addition, a similar device from
Nanosphere (NASDAQ:NSPH) is able to detect viruses
and bacteria. Nanosphere (NASDAQ:NSPH) is
more focused on the identification of deadly infections disease and
early detection for optimal treatment. Unlike Firefly
Dx, it is not a handheld device for use in the field, but
more suited for use in a clinical
environment.
Another diagnostic testing company that can test
RNA like Positive ID's is Rosetta Genomics
(NASDAQ:ROSG). Its diagnostic equipment tests
microRNAs that identify tumor types for the treatment of cancer
among other uses. It is not in the handheld or threat
detection market.
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