SMITHS-DETECTION
17.2.2021 09:02:11 CET | Business Wire | Press release
Smiths Detection, a global leader in threat detection and security screening technologies, today reports that its BioFlash® Biological Identifier is capable of detecting SARS-CoV-2 in the air following tests conducted by the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID).
The tests were performed using live SARS-CoV-2 virus in a Biosafety Level 3 containment area at Fort Detrick, Maryland. The SARS-CoV-2 CANARY biosensor used in the BioFlash device demonstrated that it can quickly detect and identify the presence of low levels of aerosolized SARS-CoV-2.
The BioFlash® Biological Identifier is powered by CANARY® technology (a cell-based biosensor) and is combined with proprietary aerosol-collection techniques to provide rapid, sensitive and specific identification of biological-threat agents including viruses, toxins and bacteria.
“We are working incredibly hard to provide a tool that will support the ongoing fight against the coronavirus,” said Roland Carter, President, Smiths Detection. “BioFlash is an effective and trusted environmental monitoring tool. These test results provide valuable data in understanding the spread of COVID-19 and help protect people in indoor environments such as hospitals, schools and commercial buildings.”
USAMRIID confirmed that Smiths Detection’s BioFlash can detect down to an estimated 6,000 airborne infectious particles of the SARS-CoV-2 virus within a controlled environment. This compares to as many as one million particles emitted in a single sneeze by a person infected with SARS-CoV-2. The test results also indicate no cross-reactivity with influenza and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), an important consideration for environmental monitoring of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Further testing and research is underway at a number of US universities to collect more data on how the detection technology can help prevent outbreaks and guide both public and private organizations in COVID-19 mitigation strategies.
###
About BioFlash Biological Identifier
The BioFlash ® Biological Identifier is a bio-aerosol collection and identification system that provides rapid, sensitive and specific identification of various pathogens including viruses, toxins and bacteria. The BioFlash has been commercially available for over 10 years and is currently used by US government and commercial clients for a number of applications.
About Smiths Detection
Smiths Detection, part of Smiths Group, is a global leader in threat detection and screening technologies for aviation, ports and borders, defence and urban security markets. Our experience and history across more than 40 years at the frontline enables us to deliver the solutions needed to protect society from the threat and illegal passage of explosives, prohibited weapons, contraband, toxic chemicals and narcotics.
Our goal is simple – to provide security, peace of mind and freedom of movement upon which the world depends.
For more information visit http://www.smithsdetection.com/
About the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases:
For over 50 years, USAMRIID has provided leading-edge medical capabilities to deter and defend against current and emerging biological threat agents. The Institute is the only laboratory in the Department of Defense equipped to safely study highly hazardous viruses requiring maximum containment at Biosafety Level 4. Research conducted at USAMRIID leads to medical solutions – vaccines, drugs, diagnostics, information, and training programmes – that benefit both military personnel and civilians. Established in 1969, the Institute plays a key role as the lead military medical research laboratory for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s Joint Science and Technology Office for Chemical and Biological Defense. USAMRIID is a subordinate laboratory of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command. For more information, visit www.usamriid.army.mil
[The information contained in this press release does not necessarily reflect the position or the policy of the Government and no official endorsement should be inferred.]
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210217005084/en/
About Business Wire
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Frankfurt Higher Regional Court upholds BESREMi® arbitral award in favor of AOP Health24.4.2026 18:52:00 CEST | Press release
Today, the Higher Regional Court of Frankfurt upheld the February 20251 partial final ICC arbitral award in favor of AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals GmbH (“AOP Health”) in its dispute with PharmaEssentia Corp. (“PharmaEssentia”). The ruling confirms the award which found the Taiwanese company to be liable for certain damages. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260424005227/en/ Portrait Dr. Rudolf Widmann, Founder AOP Health Credit: AOP Health/Daniel Ospelt Dr. Rudolf Widmann, one of the two founders of AOP Health, explains: “We very much welcome the Frankfurt Higher Regional Court’s decision that confirms our position. In the interest of our patients, we are dedicated to maintaining stable and sustainable access to BESREMi® and to responsibly navigating future challenges.” The Product in Dispute The conflict centers around BESREMi® (ropeginterferon alfa-2b), a product launched in 2019 and developed by AOP Health into
Compass Pathways Announces FDA Granted NDA Rolling Review Request and Awarded Commissioner's National Priority Voucher24.4.2026 16:37:00 CEST | Press release
Compass is the most advanced company in classic psychedelics and has generated positive data from two ongoing large, well controlled Phase 3 clinical trials, designed to uphold the highest regulatory standardsFDA grants Compass NDA rolling submission and review request, based on Phase 3 dataCNPV awarded for COMP360, Compass’ proprietary formulation of synthetic psilocybin, for treatment-resistant depression (TRD)CNPV further accelerates momentum and Compass is confident and ready to deliver for patients Compass Pathways plc (Nasdaq: CMPS), a biotechnology company dedicated to accelerating patient access to evidence-based innovation in mental health, today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Compass NDA rolling review request and selected COMP360, Compass’ proprietary formulation of synthetic psilocybin, for the Commissioner's National Priority Voucher (CNPV) program for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Companies selected for the voucher program will be en
Banma Intelligence and Alipay Launch AI Cockpit Solution Powered by Alipay AI Pay, Enabling Seamless and Secure In-Car Transactions by Voice24.4.2026 16:04:00 CEST | Press release
At the 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition (“Auto China 2026”), OS and AI technology company Banma Intelligence and Alipay today launched a new AI cockpit solution integrating Alipay AI Pay, enabling drivers to complete purchases by voice command directly from their vehicle. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260424618328/en/ Industry-first AI Cockpit Solution with Alipay AI Pay Unveiled “In the past two years, smart cockpits have achieved rapid advances in perception and decision-making,” said Ming Cai, Banma Intelligence Chief Product Officer. “With large models onboard, vehicles can understand user intent and make recommendations. By integrating Alipay AI Pay into our AI cockpit solution, we are removing the last friction point in the in-car smart cockpit experience - drivers simply speak to pay, no phone required.” The new AI cockpit solution initially covers two high-frequency use cases: enterta
Spatial Announces the Release 2026 1.0.1: New Enhancements Across 3D InterOp, Data Prep, Meshing, and 3D Modeling SDKs24.4.2026 15:21:00 CEST | Press release
Spatial Corp., the leading software development kit provider for design, manufacturing and engineering solutions and a subsidiary of Dassault Systèmes, today announced new enhancements across several of its product lines. These updates further strengthen Spatial’s commitment to delivering high-performance solutions that optimize interoperability, data preparation, and advanced modeling workflows. Designed to improve efficiency and robustness across CAD translation, modeling, meshing, and simulation processes, the latest updates introduce expanded format support, enhanced PMI handling, and new capabilities for complex geometry processing. 3D InterOp NX Reader Enhancement for 2D Drawings The NX reader imports 2D drawings as visualization data from NX 2412 and later versions. glTF Writer Supports Draco Compression glTF export incorporates Draco compression for meshes and point-clouds to significantly reduce output file sizes. Enhanced Support for Reading Product Manufacturing Information
Meta Signs Agreement With AWS to Power Agentic AI on AWS Graviton Chips24.4.2026 14:10:00 CEST | Press release
The deal helps power the agentic workloads behind Meta’s AI effortsKey takeaways The deployment starts with tens of millions of Graviton cores, with the potential to expand. Meta is now one of the largest Graviton customers in the world. The deal builds on Meta's long-standing AWS relationship and use of Amazon Bedrock at scale to support its next generation of AI. Meta has signed an agreement to deploy AWS Graviton processors at scale. The deal marks a significant expansion of a long-standing partnership between the two companies as Meta builds its next generation of AI. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260424641117/en/ The deployment starts with tens of millions of Graviton cores, with the flexibility to expand as Meta's AI capabilities grow. The deal reflects a shift in how AI infrastructure gets built: while GPUs remain essential for training large models, the rise of agentic AI is creating massive demand f
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom