AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 10, 2013 — 1st Detect
Corporation, a subsidiary of Astrotech Corporation (Nasdaq:ASTC),
announced today that the United States Patent Office ("USPTO") has
allowed the issuance of a key patent for the company’s unique ion trap
used for chemical analysis and detection. "We are extremely pleased
that the USPTO has allowed this patent. This patent is an important
component of our intellectual property portfolio as it allows 1st
Detect to enhance the performance of miniaturized mass spectrometers
without an increase in size or cost," said Thomas B Pickens III,
Chairman and CEO of 1st Detect. "The patent clearly validates our
technology, while both demonstrating and protecting the progress we
have made in the development of the 1st Detect mass spectrometer."
The patent, entitled "A Mass Spectrometer Ion Trap Having Asymmetric
End Cap Apertures", published as USPTO No. 8,610,055, represents a key
technological advantage for 1st Detect to improve the sensitivity and
resolution of small mass spectrometers without increasing the
complexity or cost of the instrument.
"The technology protected by this patent supports our objective to
offer the most affordable, high performance small mass spectrometer for
both laboratory and field applications," added David Rafferty, the
inventor of the novel technology and President and CTO of 1st Detect.
1st Detect Corporation has developed an instrument that revolutionizes
the chemical detection and analysis market by delivering lab
performance mass spectrometry in a small, affordable and easily
portable package. The 1st Detect mass spectrometer’s broad capabilities
make it an ideal tool for a variety of applications in the research,
security, industrial, process flow and healthcare markets; and is
capable of detecting a wide variety of chemicals including residues and
vapors from explosives, chemical warfare agents, toxic chemicals, food
and beverage contaminants, and pollution products.
About 1st Detect Corporation
1st Detect Corporation was formed by Astrotech Corporation
(Nasdaq:ASTC) to develop and commercialize miniature mass spectrometer
technology first developed under an agreement with NASA for use on the
International Space Station. 1st Detect offers a breakthrough miniature
mass spectrometer that fills an unmet need by being highly accurate,
rapid, lightweight, and cost-effective. For more information on 1st
Detect Corporation, please visit www.1stDetect.com.
About Astrotech Corporation
Astrotech is one of the first space commerce companies and remains a
strong entrepreneurial force in the aerospace industry. We are leaders
in identifying, developing and marketing space technology for
commercial use. Our Astrotech Space Operations business unit serves our
government and commercial satellite and spacecraft customers with
pre-launch services on the eastern and western range. 1st Detect
Corporation has developed a breakthrough miniature mass spectrometer,
while Astrogenetix, Inc. is a biotechnology company utilizing
microgravity as a research platform for drug discovery and development.
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made
pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are
subject to risks, trends, and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to be materially different from the forward-looking statement.
These factors include, but are not limited to, continued government
support and funding for key space programs, product performance and
market acceptance of products and services, as well as other risk
factors and business considerations described in the Company’s
Securities and Exchange Commission filings including the annual report
on Form 10-K. Any forward-looking statements in this document should be
evaluated in light of these important risk factors. The Company assumes
no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.