Mar 1 2010
Ahura Scientific, Inc., the leader in field-deployed analytical instruments for human health and public safety, today announced the close of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.’s acquisition of the company. The acquisition expands Thermo Fisher’s technology portfolio with a suite of instruments designed to bring lab-accurate analysis directly to the point of need.
“Ahura Scientific products are trusted to provide life-saving information to human health and public safety specialists around the world,” said Doug Kahn, chairman and CEO of Ahura Scientific. “Our entire team is excited about the acquisition and the new opportunities it creates. We look forward to building on our success as we move to the next stage in the combined company’s evolution.”
Since its founding in 2002, Ahura Scientific’s mission has been to bring mobility to industries whose solutions have been traditionally confined to a laboratory. The company's rapid global expansion has been driven by its ability to deliver on this mission with innovative, handheld instruments that can quickly identify and authenticate chemical substances in the safety and security, pharmaceutical and industrial markets.
Today, Ahura Scientific products include the FirstDefender® line of rugged handheld Raman spectrometers that enable military personnel and first responders to identify narcotics, explosives, chemical warfare agents and industrial chemicals. Additional safety and security products include TruDefender™ FT, an FTIR spectrometer that complements FirstDefender for a broader range of chemical identification capabilities, and TruScreen for rapid screening of liquid threats at aviation and other transportation checkpoints. TruScan, the company’s pharmaceutical authentication product, helps manufacturers ensure the safety of their supply chain through raw material identification and anti-counterfeit measures. Currently, nine out of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies (by revenue) have actively deployed TruScan for raw material inspection and anti-counterfeit activities.
“As the leading VC that has worked closely with the team since the company’s inception, we are delighted by this development,” said Castile Ventures managing general partner, Nina Saberi. “Today’s announcement is a testament to the team’s high-impact vision and to their success in creating an efficient and scalable business.”
“We started Ahura to help people through wise innovation; my measure of success is how much we have enhanced their quality of life,” said Dr. Daryoosh Vakhshoori, founder and president of Ahura Scientific. “My pleasure has come from helping guide this journey, watching as new colleagues join the vision and taking pride in what we have created together - meaningful professional opportunities which will last for years to come.”
Ahura Scientific will now operate as Thermo Fisher Scientific's new Portable Optical Analysis business unit.