Ahura Scientific Introduces TruScan Material Identity Verification System

Advanced Analytics and Rugged, Handheld Design Provide Powerful New Solution for Pharmaceutical and Industrial Raw Material Inspection

Ahura Scientific, Inc. today announced the availability of TruScan, the latest in the company's line of handheld chemical analyzers. TruScan is a rugged handheld system for rapid, accurate material identity verification, offering incomparable ease of operation in a tough, lightweight form factor. TruScan was designed to meet the stringent requirements of pharmaceutical and industrial manufacturing operations, both in highly regulated environments and more flexible operations.

Increasing regulatory and liability pressures, variable batch sizes in more adaptive manufacturing environments, and the prevailing drive toward lean manufacturing are having tremendous impact on the cost and logistics of pharmaceutical manufacturing. Companies are actively seeking tools that enable them to meet the new production demands and financial objectives of their operations, while at the same time adhering to quality, regulatory and safety requirements.

Designed with these critical requirements in mind, TruScan provides a robust, effective and highly accurate solution for Material Identity Verification at point of acceptance, point of release, or even point of sale. Using Raman spectroscopy, TruScan quickly determines if the material in question is chemically authentic. TruScan can be used for a variety of sample types, including incoming raw materials, intermediates and finished product. Raman spectroscopy's ease of sampling makes TruScan ideal for non-contact use on double-bagged actives or excipients, materials in glass vials or bottles, or final product in blister packages.

"As with Ahura's earlier products, we worked very closely with leaders in the pharmaceutical and industrial manufacturing industries to develop a product that truly meets -- and exceeds -- their technical and operational requirements," said Daryoosh Vakhshoori, founder and president of Ahura Scientific, Inc. "TruScan was designed to take the guess work out of material identity verification and we're delighted with the enthusiasm the market is already showing for this radical new approach."

Key features of the TruScan material identity verification system include:

--  Handheld - Weighing less than 4 pounds (1.8 kg), TruScan can be used
    on the loading dock, in the warehouse, at the distributor, or wherever
    rapid material verification is required.

--  Ease of use - TruScan's intuitive user interface and managed workflow
    minimize user error and ensure even novice users are quickly up and
    running.

--  Rapid results - TruScan quickly analyzes a substance in question and
    provides an immediate decision on its validity, typically within 30
    seconds. Further, TruScan's point-and-shoot operation enables sampling
    through packaging, such as double-bagged pharmaceutical ingredients in a
    drum or tablets in blister packaging. This avoids contamination, eliminates
    operator exposure to potentially hazardous materials, and further speeds
    the sampling process.

--  Managed workflow - TruScan's embedded workflow software ensures the
    correct Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) or method is followed for each
    sample, backed by three levels of password-protected user authorization.
    The built-in bar code reader minimizes transcription errors.

--  Ruggedness - TruScan is derived from military requirements for
    toughness.  Extensive and demanding vibration and drop tests, as well as
    operation in extreme temperatures and humidity, were an integral part of
    the product development process.

--  Validation and regulatory compliance - TruScan has been designed for
    use in 21 CFR Part 11-compliant environments, and has UL and CE
    certification. It has built-in self-test diagnostics, including system
    checks at the start of every measurement, and system calibration to NIST
    and ASTM standards.
    

Optional TruScan snap-on accessories include a vial holder, universal tablet holder and the FlexProbe fiber-optic extension.

Industry Recognition

Ahura Scientific has been recognized with many awards for innovation and industrial design, including a 2006 R&D 100 Award from R&D Magazine recognizing the top 100 most technically significant products of the year. Ahura also received a 2006 IDEA Award from the Industrial Design Society of America (IDSA) for design excellence in the scientific products category. Additional awards have been received from Red Herring, Frost & Sullivan, Cygnus Business Media and the World Economic Forum.

Proven Solutions

Ahura launched their first handheld spectroscopic instrument, the FirstDefender, in mid-2005, designed for security and safety applications. Since that time, Ahura has deployed more than 300 units worldwide to government agencies, regulatory bodies, industrial manufacturing sites and pharmaceutical operations, among others. Current customers include more than 100 organizations in North America, Europe and Asia including the U.S. Army, U.S. Customs and Immigration, U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigations, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, as well as regional and local hazmat and law enforcement departments.

For more information or to request a demonstration, please contact sales@ahurascientific.com or +1-978-642-1132.

About Ahura Scientific, Inc.

Ahura Scientific, Inc. develops rugged, ultra-compact, field-enabled optical systems for the detection, identification and authentication of unknown and suspect substances. Customers include the homeland security, life sciences, industrial and medical markets. Manufactured in the USA in an ISO 9001 certified operation, Ahura's products offer superior performance at competitive prices. More information at www.ahurascientific.com.